Columbus North Coach Rick Sluder Wins Coach of the Year Honors

Sluder's cross-country teams have built a winning culture and legacy at the school.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Rick Sluder, the head coach of the boys cross-country team at Columbus North High School, has been named the Indiana Boys Cross-Country Coach of the Year by the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (IATCCC). This comes after Sluder was previously named the Indiana Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) last month, recognizing his success in building a championship-caliber program at the school.

Why it matters

Sluder's coaching accolades highlight how he has developed a culture of excellence and high expectations within the Columbus North cross-country program. In a sport where results are determined solely by performance on the course, Sluder has consistently guided his teams to success through tough, disciplined training and a focus on teamwork.

The details

Over his tenure, Sluder has led the Columbus North boys cross-country team to a state championship. The awards he has received, including being named Indiana Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year, come from the respect and recognition of his peers - the other coaches who understand the difficulty of building and sustaining a winning program year after year.

  • Last month, Sluder was named Indiana Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
  • Sluder was recently named Boys Cross-Country Coach of the Year by the Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (IATCCC).

The players

Rick Sluder

The head coach of the boys cross-country team at Columbus North High School, who has built a championship-caliber program through his leadership and coaching expertise.

Indiana Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches (IATCCC)

The organization that named Sluder the Boys Cross-Country Coach of the Year, recognizing his success in guiding the Columbus North program.

U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)

The national organization that previously named Sluder the Indiana Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year, further highlighting his coaching achievements.

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The takeaway

Sluder's coaching accolades demonstrate the importance of building a winning culture and sustainable success in high school sports. By focusing on discipline, teamwork, and high expectations, Sluder has elevated the Columbus North cross-country program to a level of excellence that has earned him recognition from his peers across the state and nation.