Having just completed his third season at Air Academy, Chris Hernez realizes the inevitable is only one more year away. That’s just one part of coaching while putting down roots.

“I’m looking up at the team pictures,” Hernez said. “Next year, I’ll be watching my first class go through. That’s going to be interesting. I’m not sure how I’m going to feel about that. That’s just the nature of the business, saying goodbye, but there’s a crop of girls waiting to take over.”

In those three seasons, the Kadets have gone from a sub.-500 outfit to one of the best, reaching the 4A state tournament in 2014 and 2015.

And Hernez, a Wasson graduate who also serves as a club softball coach, knows the best is yet to come.

“It was a great year,” said Hernez, whose team won 16 games and claimed its first Pikes Peak Athletic Conference title but fell to Thompson Valley in the first round of the state tournament. “The girls were a little disappointed with not doing better, but I think that’ll carry us into next season.”