It’s that time of year again, for Pipe Dream to unveil its annual end of the year awards. First up, we announce the nominees for the third annual Coach of the Year award. There were numerous deserving candidates, but just like a Highlander, there can be only one Coach of the Year.

Sean Clark, swimming and diving: Losing three of his top male swimmers from a year ago could have been tough for the reigning America East Coach of the Year, but Clark didn’t skip a beat in his second season, guiding his men’s squad to a third-place finish and leading the women to sixth place, their best finish since 2004. He also found guys to replace his departed leaders, as Brenno Varanda was named America East Most Outstanding Swimmer — the Bearcats have won the award for four straight years — and Lance Graham became the first Binghamton University diver to ever head to the NCAA Zone Diving Championships.

Paul Marco, men’s soccer: The defending Pipe Dream Coach of the Year had a tall order to fill but responded by winning the America East regular season title and taking home AE Coach of the Year honors. If not for an ill-timed screen on BU goalkeeper Jason Stenta, he might have taken home his second straight AE Tournament Championship as well. In a season where the men’s soccer team became the big story on campus, Marco proved once again that he is the perfect man to lead the team to Division I glory.

Mike Stevens, women’s tennis: Stevens wasted no time replacing two of the most dominant women’s tennis players in history, bringing in freshmen Anna Edelman and Lauren Bates, who have instantly transformed a team that could be rebuilding into a serious threat in the America East. After rolling through non-conference play, the Bearcats sent a message with their resounding victory over Hartford to open the AE season. Stevens deserves credit for keeping his team competitive year in, year out, despite always losing key players.

Mike Thompson, track and field: Thompson’s uncanny ability to mold pole vaulters paid off tenfold this season, when Rory Quiller won the NCAA Division I pole vault championship. But Thompson’s season has been about more than one athlete. Despite numerous injuries, the men’s track team, never a major player in the America East, finished second at the AE Championships and helped Thompson win an AE Coach of the Year award. Critics might point to a weak women’s season, but when you consider the slew of injuries to hit the squad, a seventh place conference finish is commendable.

Tony Zostant, women’s lacrosse: Just 12 games into his Binghamton tenure, Zostant has already tied the team’s record for most wins in a season and he’ll have three more chances to break it. The team has already multiplied its wins from last season by four, and the former St. Bonaventure coach has a lot to do with it. He’s juggled lineups successfully and provided a light at the end of the tunnel for a program that once looked lost.