By RICK PETERSON 
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the coming weeks, TopSports.news will recognize Shawnee County's all-time coaching greats in 14 sports as part of our Best of the Best project. Readers will have the opportunity to vote through July 15, with the Top 10 in all categories announced in July and August. To cast a vote for the Best of the Best track and field coach click on https://poll-maker.com/poll4398959x83e04eA7-138 while email votes/nominations will be also accepted at
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Eleven candidates are listed as possible contenders for the No.1 spot in the TopSports.news Shawnee County Best of the Best Coaches project for track and field, and there could have been twice that many.
All 11 suggested candidates had a hand in at least one state team championship with nine winning multiple titles.
Joe Schrag
Mike Nash
Brad Nicks
Jerry Beardslee
Local track and legend Joe Schrag, a member of multiple halls of fame, won multiple championships at Topeka West in both outdoor and indoor track while former Shawnee Heights coaches Brad Nicks (three) and Mike Nash (two) combined for five boys/girls state titles while establishing the T-Birds as a perennial state power.
Other coaches with multiple championships include former Washburn Rural coach Jerry Beardslee, the late Heavy Erwin at Topeka High, Jason Broaddus at Rossville, Rick Strecker at Hayden, Claudia Welch at Seaman and Dixie Barb at Highland Park.
Also earning spots on the list of candidates were longtime Seaman coach Bob Camien, who led the Vikings to the 5A boys title in 2006, and former Topeka High coach Rod Hasenbank, who led the Trojans to the 6A boys championship in 2013.
Possible candidates are listed at https://poll-maker.com/poll4398959x83e04eA7-138 while readers also have the option of writing in a name.
Vote as many times as you wish, with the only requirement that eligible candidates must have served as a head coach or assistant at one of Shawnee County's high schools.
Final selections will be based on reader vote as well as input from TSN contributors and current and past local sports media professionals.
Votes will be accepted through July 15 before TSN publishes our Best of the Best lists in July and August.
NEXT UP: Volleyball (Ballot will be posted on July 9).
