Prairie Track Coach Bill Schwarz received a well-deserved honor at Tuesday night’s home coed track meet, the Hawkins Coed Relays. Starting next year, the meet will be renamed the Schwarz-Hawkins Coed Relays to celebrate Coach Schwarz’s dedication to the program.

Coach Schwarz is in his 22nd season leading the Prairie Hawks Track and Field Program. After leading the boys’ teams for 18 years, Coach Schwarz was instrumental in adding the girls program to his resume and has successfully orchestrated a strong, united, coed program for the past four years.

His success in competition over the course of his career includes coaching individuals and relays that have been MVC Conference champions, Drake Relays champions, and State Meet champions. Under his guidance, the 2016 boys team won the Drake Relays Hy-Vee Cup and went on to win the school’s first State Championship with a state meet record for total points scored. In 2022, his girls team earned their own Hy-Vee Cup Championship from the Drake Relays and established a new school record for team points at the state meet.

Bill’s contributions to Prairie Track and Field go far beyond his success in competition. Coach Schwarz is an innate leader who brings out the best in his athletes, his coaches, and all that are involved within his program. He has had a positive impact on thousands of student-athletes, coaches, and families over the course of his career. Coach Schwarz believes in every individual no matter their ability level and wants them to achieve greatness.

Congratulations Coach Schwarz on an outstanding career and the impact you have had on student-athletes, coaches, and families at Prairie High School over the course of your career.