Abbey Trapp, a coach for the Milbank Special Olympics and co-coordinator of the annual South Dakota Special Olympics Northeast Spring Track and Field Games, has been named the 2026 Ron Stewart Coach of the Year. She received the award in Mitchell on Sunday, July 19.
The award recognizes a coach who demonstrates the highest degree of technical skill and personal commitment needed to motivate and train Special Olympics athletes. Enthusiasm, attendance at competition, and effort put into coaching are also considered. Abbey was nominated by Haley Zerr, head of sports and competition for South Dakota Special Olympics. She was then chosen from a list of seven finalists.
Abbey recalled her reaction upon learning she had earned the award: “I was speechless and overwhelmed with joy. I have a passion to help individuals with a disability succeed in athletics and in the classroom. I feel like this award, however,is a community award. It has taken a village to create this successful program and that is what we have in Milbank.”
Abbey went on to say, “Mr. Snaza always says, ‘It’s not normal here,’ and I agree 100 percent with that statement. We are one big family that works together to have a thriving community and program. We support and encourage all in need.”
Thank you to everyone in the Milbank area for your continuous support of Special Olympics, including everything from your financial gifts to donating your time and efforts toward this cause. It is a true honor to represent Milbank for this award.
Abbey, who is also a middle school and high school special education teacher, is married to Brian Trapp, president of First Bank & Trust in Milbank. The couple has a daughter Elizabeth and a son Lincoln.
Staff
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