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William Savo is ASAA Region One Coach of the Year

Isabelle Ross/KDLG

Dillingham wrestling coach William Savo received the Region One Coach of the Year award on Monday.

Athletics director Karl Clark presented William Savo with the Region One award at the Dillingham High School awards ceremony on Monday. Region One encompasses 18 school districts in northern and western Alaska. 

“He pushes his kids hard and does a fantastic job with the wrestling program," said Clark at the ceremony. "We wouldn’t be where we are without him. He’s in contact with his boys and his girls all year long. So it’s my pleasure to give him this award.”

As a student, Savo was a two-time state champion, and he has been head coach of the Dillingham wrestling team for four years.

“There’s a group of us that coach,” said Savo. “We have a bunch of volunteers and then Jack Savo and I do the high school program. Sonny Flensburg does the middle school program. You know, I don’t think I won this award. I think it’s everybody who comes out and helps out in the program. It might have my name on it, but it’s kind of like a team award.”

Dillingham’s year-round wrestling program is finishing a strong school year.

“The kids work so hard, and it ain’t all about winning and losing,” said Savo. “It’s about getting that mentality that you’ve got to work hard and get through different things in life. I think every year is successful, but I think this year was successful on the mat and off the mat.”

This summer, the team plans to fundraise before wrestling camp in August.

Contact the author at isabelle@kdlg.org or 907-842-5281.

Izzy Ross is the news director at KDLG, the NPR member station in Dillingham. She reports, edits, and hosts stories from around the Bristol Bay region, and collaborates with other radio stations across the state.