Semancik, Shepherd honored among Ohio’s top coaches

COLUMBUS – A pair of local coaches are among 21 from across Ohio who have been recognized by the National Federation of State High School Associations as 2013-14 Ohio Coaches of the Year in their respective sports.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association recommended the coaches to NFHS based on nominations by each respective coaches association in the state. The NFHS is divided into eight geographical sections with Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio making up the Mideast Region.

Chillicothe High School girls track and field coach Steve Semancik and Piketon High School boys track and field coach Greg Shepherd were among the 21 included on the list.

The honor is just the latest for the two coaches. Shepherd was named the 2013 Fred Daffler Boys Track Coach of the Year, while Semancik received the same honor on the girls side. The award is considered one of the most prominent coaching awards in the sport.

Shepherd has amassed six Scioto Valley Conference track championships, 12 district cross country championships, five district track championships and five district cross country championships. He also helped lift the Redstreaks to a state runner-up finish in 1989.

Semancik has amassed 13 local, district and state coach of the year awards in the two sports, but his coaching career didn’t start in track or cross country. Semancik actually got his start 18 years ago as Chillicothe’s junior high football coach.