NOTES: Durango plans to hire football coach in March

Durango High School is seeking a new varsity football head coach.

The position will be kept open until Feb. 24, and interviews will be conducted in early March, Durango athletic administrator Tim Jackson said.

The new coach will replace Gary Maki, who recently resigned after four seasons.

Maki went 21-21 as head coach but was 20-12 with three playoff appearances in his final three seasons.

“He did a great job and took us to the playoffs multiple years,” Jackson said. “He re-established winning tradition in Durango football.”

Jackson said the Trailblazers plan to have a new coach by the end of March.

HARTLE HONORED — Centennial senior Nick Hartle was named the Gatorade Nevada Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Hartle finished the 3.1-mile course at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno in 16 minutes, 41 seconds to win his second straight Class 4A state title last fall.

He also maintains a 3.98 grade-point average and is a member of the National Honor Society. The award honors athletic and academic excellence.

MCDONALD’S NOMINEES — Nine Nevada basketball players were nominated for the McDonald’s All-American Games, which will be played March 28 at the United Center in Chicago.

Boys nominated were Bishop Gorman’s Shabazz Muhammad and Rosco Allen and Findlay Prep’s Anthony Bennett, Brandon Ashley, Dominic Artis and Winston Shepard.

Girls nominated were Palo Verde’s Jasmin Kiley, Gorman’s Zhane Dikes and Lowry’s Julia Dufurrena.