DES MOINES — Solon’s Brent Sands is the 2023 track and field recipient of the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union’s Golden Plaque of Distinction Award. Sands was presented his award Saturday, May 20 at the Iowa High School State Track and Field Meet in Drake Stadium.
The IGHSAU Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions toward school, community and the coaching profession.
Sands has coached Solon girls’ track and field since 2001. The Spartans have captured nine WaMaC conference championships, nine regional championships, 14 top-10 finishes at the State Meet, including two third place finishes, two state runners-up and two state championships. Under Sands’ guidance, Solon has had multiple individual and relay state champions as well as both relay and individual Drake Relays champions.
Sands was named the Iowa Association of Track Coaches Coach-of-the-Year in 2022, and regional coach-of-the-year eight times.
Brent and his wife, Christy, have two daughters, Alexis and Peyton.
Coach Brent Sands encourages Joli Sinnwell as Kayla Young laps her in the 3,000-meter run Tuesday, April 18 during the annual Denny Gruber Co-Ed Relays. Young turned in a “double” winning the 3,000 and 1,500.