The St. Thomas Academy has hired Noel Quinn as its boys’ soccer coach. He replaces Julius Tangwe.

Quinn previously coached the Eden Prairie girls’ soccer team, which was the Class 2A state tournament runner-up for two consecutive years.

“Together with the coaching staff, I hope to build a program that will represent our school and community at the highest level,” Quinn said in a news release.

Quinn also was serving as the executive director of the Blaine soccer club. He will be responsible for all phases of the boys’ program (grades 7-12) at St. Thomas Academy.

“His winning record, and his attainment of the ‘Master Coach’ and ‘Master Trainer’ certifications are evidence that he believes in the pursuit of excellence and continuous improvement for himself and his teams,’’ Rick Johns, director of athletics and activities at St. Thomas Academy, said in the same release.

Quinn, a native of Ireland, has coached at the high school level for 10 seasons. He also coached at Simley.

He attended St. John’s and was the school’s rookie of the year in 2000. He coached the Johnnies in 2005 and 2006, helping guide the team to an MIAC championship.

New look at New Prague

Former Shakopee standout pitcher Ashley Walker is the new softball coach at New Prague. She replaces Nat Wagner, who coached the Trojans for three seasons. Wagner left to become an assistant coach at Valley City State in North Dakota.

Walker, who played at Winona State University, was honored as its female athlete of the year in 2015.

 

Ron Haggstrom • 612-673-4498