She’s been coaching for 45 years, and just wrapped up her final season as the girls track head coach for Rock Ridge. And she did so with the 7AA Track Coach of the Year title.

Deanna Kerzie used to run herself. She said she was a sophomore in Gilbert when Title IX opened up more sports for women.

She also coached volleyball and basketball. But for the past 30 years, has been the head coach for Eveleth-Gilbert and now Rock Ridge.

“I wanted to give back, and I hope other young women consider becoming track coaches as well,” she told us. “Every girl on the team matters, every single girl.”

Kerzie’s father, Steve, was her first coach. The track and scoreboard are named for him. “This track was a dream for so many years. We used to run on cinder, in Eveleth,” she shared.

Now she hopes to spend a little more time traveling and watching the 12 grandkids do their activities.

She’ll be honored at a banquet in January. Congrats again!