La Grande High School head swim coach Cheyenne Maszk was recently awarded the 2024-2025 Section 8 Boys Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year by the NFHS Coaches Association. NFHS is the National Federation of State High School Associations.
According to NFHS, this award denotes Maszk’s status among the most elite coaches in her section. She was specifically nominated by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSSA) for the award. Honorees were selected based on their performance in the 24-25 school year, lifetime community involvement, school involvement, and philosophy of coaching.
About being honored, Coash Maszk said, “I definitely didn't get into coaching to win awards. I never expected this to happen. It is hard to put into words how it feels. I am elated and grateful for the recognition, not just for me, but for our team, our athletes, and our school. They are so deserving, and they make it pretty easy for me.”
This year marks the sixth season that Maszk has coached for LHS. She started as an assistant coach during the 20-21 season and became head coach the next year. Although this specific award is for boys swimming, she coaches the girls’ team, also.
After growing up in John Day and swimming for the summer league until 2007, Maszk moved to McMinnville for her senior year of high school to be able to swim year-round. “I had a disappointing state performance, and at the time, it was enough to discourage me from continuing with the sport.”
Maszk said she loves being a coach, it has been a cathartic experience for her, and the student athletes are incredible. “Our team is big on never saying ‘can't.’ It is a punishable offense (usually with push-ups). I hope to teach them that the things they say to themselves matter, not just in sport/competition, but in life.”
She appreciates her athletes for all their hard work and dedication to swimming, her husband and three kids for supporting her, and her assistant coach, Keegan Dutto, for everything.
Maszk will receive her award later this year.
