GRAND ISLAND - A longtime Northwest coach is up for a national award.
Diane Rouzee is one of 12 Nebraska high school coaches nominated for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association national coach of the year.
In her 30th and final season as head coach of the Vikings' volleyball program in 2017 Northwest finished 29-9 and made it to the Class B state semifinals.
Rouzee finished her career with an overall record of 768-183. Her win total is eighth all-time in the state and fourth among active coaches.
The nominations for the national award were based on each coaches' career accomplishments through the 2016-17 athletic seasons.
The now retired coach is credited with turning the Northwest volleyball program into a Class B power house. The Vikings won three state championships and finished runner-up six times while qualifying for state 23 times during her tenure.
LIST OF FINALISTS NOMINATED BY THE NEBRASKA COACHES ASSOCIATION
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Greg Warneke Boys' Assistant
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Pierce
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Margo LaBrie Girls' Assistant
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Hampton
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Bill Fitzgerald Athletic Director
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Fremont
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Bob Greco Baseball
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Omaha Westside
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Russ Ninemire Girls' Basketball
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Sandy Creek
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Jim Barker Boys'Cross Country
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Scottsbluff
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Mimi Ramsbottom Golf
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Elkhorn South
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Jeff Hoham Soccer
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Lincoln East
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Steve Kerkman Softball
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Millard South
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Steve Bischof Tennis
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Elkhorn South
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Don Perry Boys' Track & Field
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York
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Mindy Reed Girls' Track & Field
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Millard North
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Diane Rouzee Volleyball
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Northwest
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