Marion pole vaulting coach Jerry Smith last week was named Kansas Cross Country and Track and Field Class 2A 2019 coach of the year.

He coached Anne Baliel to a Class 2A state championship in the spring, and teammate Michaela Regnier to a fifth-place finish.

With Smith coaching, Marion vaulters placed at state each of the past 23 years, with three state champions, and more than 25 league champions between boys and girls.

He also coaches the middle school vaulters, who have won a combined 28 out of 36 league titles in the past 9 years.