Hillsboro coaches Mike Jilka and Len Coryea received coaching awards Jan. 6 as Assistant Track Coaches of the Year by the Kansas Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association. Jilka received the award as a sprint/hurdle coach and Coryea as a throws coach.
Jilka has coached 25 years as an assistant in Hillsboro.
“Over that time Mike has coached multiple individual state qualifiers in both the sprints and hurdles,” Boldt said. “He has coached multiple league and regional champions in both the hurdles, sprints and sprint relays, including four state champions.
“Mike has been a valuable, long-time assistant coach for both middle and high school athletes.”
Coryea coaches both girls and boys shot put and discus.
“Len has coached both girls and boys to many top three league and regional finishes as well as state qualifiers in both throws,” Boldt said.
“Most recently, junior Wes Shaw has qualified in both the shot put and discus as a freshman and sophomore, placing fourth in the discus as a freshman, and third in the shot put as a sophomore.
“We are excited that Len and Mike were honored Saturday at the Annual KCCTFCA Winter Coaches Clinic,” Boldt added. “I appreciate the expertise in their respective events and know that the success we have enjoyed in the track and field program is due to the coaches like these who love to work with kids.”
