Coach of the year: Esperanza's Medellin

In his 27th year at Esperanza, Rich Medellin helped guide the Aztecs to one of the most successful seasons in his tenure.

After finishing a close second at the Sunset League finals, the Aztecs responded well to the pressure of CIF competition. They finished as the county's top scoring team and came in second at both the CIF-SS finals and the Division I state meet to eventual champion Saugus.

“This group of kids believed in their coach, got along, and wanted to do more,” said Medellin, who was selected as The Register's girls cross country coach of the year. “They know what it takes and have raised the program to a new level.”

Medellin is a three-time coach of the year, with his other honors coming in 1996 and 2002.

Contact the writer: jeichelberger@ocregister.com