(Elk Horn, IA) — On Wednesday, the Exira EHK girls basketball season came to an end in the first round of the state tournament but the story does not end there. On Saturday, Spartans Head Coach will receive the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Golden Plaque of Distinction. The award is given to an Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions towards their school, community and the coaching profession.
Petersen is in his 28th year of coaching girls basketball with an overall record of 544 wins and 121 losses. He has had 17 conference championships, 9 state tournament appearances, 4 semifinals and a state title in 2010. Petersen says getting the award is a tribute to all his former players
This year’s team finished 22-2 with bookend losses — falling to Riverside in the first game and St. Albert in the last game. Petersen says it was a tough journey
Exira EHK had three seniors on this year’s team — Jaelynn Petersen, Harlow Miller and Kadence Sporrer.
Petersen has received numerous awards throughout his career — the Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year; the Girls Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee; the IGCA chairman and is a finalist for this year’s National Coach of the Year.
Petersen will receive his award during halftime of the Class 1A state championship game on Saturday night which will be televised by Iowa PBS.
