Henry Recognized With Regional Coach Award

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America has chosen Bentonville’s Kristina Henry as one of its eight regional girls high school coaches of the year.

Henry was selected to represent the large public schools in Region VI, which includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas. The honor came after she guided the Lady Tigers to a 14-4-2 record and the Class 7A State Championship, which was their third title in the past six years.

“It was definitely not expected,” Henry said Thursday afternoon. “It’s also a humbling experience, and I think I know who it was that nominated me for it.

“I had to read the email three times to make sure I read it right. It’s crazy, and that’s why I’m so shockled and humbled about it.”

The Lady Tigers marked their 13th season under Henry with a fifth consecutive 7A-West Conference championship, and Bentonville will begin the season with 35-match win streak in league play. She was also selected to be a West assistant coach during the All-Star girls soccer game in June.

Henry will receive a special award during a Jan. 18 breakfast as part of the NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis. The eight regional coaches are also qualified for the national Coach of the Year, which will be presented during an honors banquet later that evening.

“It’s taken a lot of work, and I’m trying to take it all in,” Henry said. “I work with a lot of great people, and I have some awesome assistant coaches. There’s no way I would be in the running if it wasn’t for them.”

The NSCAA also chose Bentonville senior Tayler Estrada has its Arkansas girls player of the year, as well as a member of its all-Region VI team. Estrada, the two-time NWA Girls Soccer Player of the Year and Gatorade girls soccer of the player for Arkansas, scored 17 goals and added seven assists while leading the Lady Tigers to their state title.

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