Vote now: Who should be SBLive’s Washington High School Coach of the Week (May 22-27)?

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Washington High School Coach of the Week for May 22-27 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting will conclude on Friday, June 2nd at 10 a.m. If you would like to nominate a coach, tag us @SBLiveWA.

THIS WEEK’S WASHINGTON COACH OF THE WEEK NOMINEES:

Editor’s Note: Our Coach of the Week feature and corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. However, we do not allow votes that are generated by script, macro or other automated means. Coaches that receive votes generated by script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified.

Ray Atkinson and Noble Hendrix, Lincoln of Seattle baseball and boys soccer

With new-generation Lynx with first Class 3A titles an hour apart, these coaches deserved school co-coach honors. A three-sport athlete at Lincoln nearly four decades ago, Atkinson guided baseball squad past West Seattle and Lake Washington for title. And Hendrix's soccer squad beat Ballard for WIAA title in Puyallup.

Clay Blackwood, North Kitsap softball

When your softball teams caps one of the state's two unbeaten seasons (25-0) by outscoring four opponents, 35-2, over four games, including an 8-1 victory over Ridgefield in the Class 2A title game, for the school's first softball crown -  you deserve a big mention. Also coached softball at Olympic College.

Bob Frey, Emerald Ridge girls track and field and Joe Kreider, Kelso girls track and field

Neither school had ever won a WIAA title - until Saturday. Led by sophomore JaiCieonna Gero-Holt's three event wins, the Jaguars won the 4A title with a Tacoma-best 67 points. And Josie Settle won both hurdles events (as well as Ruby Sereday in the javelin) for the Hilanders, who held off Bellevue (53-46) for the 3A title.

Lyle Overbay, Tumwater baseball

When your team has the late-inning touch - it can do great things. And the former MLB first baseman's team recorded a pair of seventh-inning walkoff 2-1 wins over W.F. West (semifinals) and Lynden (finals) to repeat as Class 2A champion. Thunderbirds are 41-10 in past two seasons (and 55-11 if you count 2021 COVID-19 spring season).

Pat Pace, Montesano softball

If there was such a thing as a small-school softball coaching wizard, Pace would be it in Washington. And with one of his youngest squad during his tenure (one senior), the Bulldogs nabbed their 11th WIAA title - and first since 2019 after defeating Royal, 8-2, in Richland. Montesano finished 22-5, winning 13 of final 14 games..