Portage High School

Coach Mark Harsha has been coaching for 32 years, 16 years as an assistant and 16 years as a head coach.  He spent his first four years at Rensselaer Central under the guidance of Indiana Hall of Fame Coach Gene Edmonds and Coach Bill Zimmer.  The remaining years of coaching has been spent at his current school, Portage High.

Harsha has been coaching the throwing events in track and field for 27 years of his 32 years.  During this time period, he has mentored 43 state finalists. Additionally, his throws coaching resume includes two national high school girl shot put champions, seven Indiana state champions, three All-Americans, two state runners-up, 17 state medalists and five Midwest All-Stars.  One of his athletes, Tori Bliss, holds the state record in the girls' shot with a throw of 50-9. Bliss was also ranked number one in the nation her senior year in the shot.

A much sought-after speaker, Coach Harsha has served as an executive with the National Throws Coaches Association since 2004.  A three-time Midwest All Star staff member, Mark has a strong belief in education that has led him to organize local, regional and national clinics and camps for both athletes and coaches.  Harsha has also been selected to be a participant and instructor in USATF Emerging Elite Throws Coaching Camps.  Lastly, Mark has produced two instructional DVDs and has many nationally published articles.