In making phone calls for the fall preview, which is scheduled to be published Sept. 10, I've learned long-time Amherst Regional girls cross country coach Art Keene will retire at the end of the season.
Keene is entering his 16th year as coach of the Hurricanes.
Amherst has won 13 straight Western Massachusetts Division 1 Championships and 14 of the last 15. The team has also won nine of the previous 10 Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships. Keene has guided Amherst to six state Division 1 titles, most recently in 2005.
Amherst went 9-0 last year to extend its dual-meet win streak to 85. Since 1988 Amherst has won 245 of its 247 dual-meet races.
Keene said Eric Nazar will replace him as coach.
I will have more on this as the season progresses.