Chapel Hill head cross country and track and field coach Joan Nesbit Mabe has been named the 2022 NCHSAA Doris Howard Female Coach of the Year award. The award, which is given out annually, recognizes the top female coach in the state across all sports. In her nearly 10 years as the coach of the Tigers, she has helped deliver seven team state titles: three boys' cross country, three girls' cross country, and one girls' indoor track and field.
In early October, Mabe suffered a humerus fracture in two places, which prevented her from being out on the course for her teams sweep the DAC VII Conference championship. Chapel Hill went on to win the NCHSAA 4A Mideast Regional on both sides as well. Dylan Look was the individual regional champion representing the Tigers. At the NCHSAA state championships, the boys and girls each fought hard for 5th place finishes. Abby Weber finished 3rd overall and was named to the all-state team.
Look went on to win the indoor 1,000m state title, and Amelia Maughan captured the outdoor 1,600m state title.
Mabe had an All-American career for the University of Chapel Hill before winning the bronze medal at the 1995 IAAF World Championships in the 3,000m. She went on to make the Olympic team for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Full Award Winners From NCHSAA
Coach Joan Nesbit Mabe poses for the cover of RunningTimes in 1986.