Head Coaches of the Year

Congratulations to the Girls Coach of the Year, Shawn Conaway of Independence High School (2A), and the Boys Coach of the Year, David Gamble of Davenport North High School (4A).

During their 2025 campaign, Coach Conaway’s Mustangs finished the regular season ranked #5 in 2A with a 14-2-1 record, and were 10-0 in WaMac Conference play winning their 3rd championship in the last 4 seasons. Independence defeated Class 2A teams who were ranked #5, #13, and #15, and a 1A team ranked #3. Coach Conaway coached 11 Seniors in 2025, with 3 receiving athletic scholarships to play college soccer, including one Division I player. He has a combined record over the last 4 years of 51-13-1, and a WaMac conference record of 39-3 over the last 4 years. His teams have been ranked in the top 10 every year for the last 4 years, earning 3 top regional seeds. 

This season, Coach Gamble’s Wildcats earned their first MAC Conference championship in both its school’s history, but also the City of Davenport Public School’s history.  His team also had its highest win percentage in school history. Davenport North also hosts the “Life is Bigger than Sports” tournament that honors coach Gamble’s daughter who lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2019. This year 13 teams participated and $5600 was raised for the University of Iowa Dance Marathon.

Assistant Coaches of the Year

Congratulations to the Girls Assistant Coach of the Year, Matty Smith of Waukee NW (3A), and the Boys Assistant Coach of the Year, Michael Drinkall of Cedar Rapids Washington (3A).

Coach Smith juggles a lot of responsibilities and still makes time to watch countless hours of game film to help with team preparation. He has 4 decades of knowledge and experience under his belt, which the players acknowledge and respect.

Coach Drinkall completed his 20th year as an assistant coach with the boys program at Washington High School. Michael works with a large ELL population with kids from many countries, languages, cultures, etc; over the years it has often included refugees from war torn regions which need rides to practice, daily, as well as needing help transitioning to a new country, language, and culture. He works with athletes from all walks of life, who are all on different paths, but come together for one common goal.