Johnston High School head girls cross country coach, Patrick Hennes, a 1997 Wartburg alum, has been named the 2014 John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year.

Following a strong prep career at Sartell High School (Minn.), Hennes lettered in both cross country and track and field at Wartburg under head coach Steve Johnson.

During his 12 seasons at Johnston High School, the Lady Dragons have qualified for the state meet 11 times.

Hennes was named the 2014 Iowa's Girls' Cross Country Coach of the Year after his team won the State Championship in Class 4A this year.

The Lady Dragons also competed at the Nike Heartland Regional meet in Sioux Falls on Nov. 9, finishing fourth in the seven state region and earning at-large consideration for the Nike Cross National meet in Portland, Ore.

The Sartell, Minn. native lives in Ankeny with his wife Beth and their two sons Sam (age 10) and Mengesha (age 9).

The John Kurtt Alumni Coach of the Year award has been given to a college alumni involved in coaching in either the high school or collegiate ranks each year since 1962. A final presentation of this award will be given at a later date.