Caston names Tocco AD; Hierlmeier to move to assistant principal

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

The Caston School Board has hired Trent Tocco as the school’s new athletic director, effective at the start of the 2023-24 school year.

The hiring occurred at the board’s May 24 meeting and was announced the following day. In addition to his athletic director responsibilities, Tocco will continue to be a middle school science teacher at Caston.

Tocco will be the fourth Caston AD since Debb Stevens’ retirement in 2016, following Blake Mollenkopf, Chuck Evans and Gina Hierlmeier.

Tocco is an IHSAA football, basketball and baseball official. It’s unclear whether Tocco will continue in those duties.

The hiring comes at a prominent time for Caston athletics. The day after he was hired, Caston won its first sectional softball title, and the team has since won the regional.

Hierlmeier had been the Caston AD since August 2020.

Hierlmeier told RTC in an email that she is staying at Caston and will be the school’s new assistant principal. She also said she will return for a second season as the school’s volleyball coach in the fall.

Hierlmeier also said that Narciso Sanchez will return as the school’s boys soccer coach. The job opening had been posted on the Indiana Department of Education website.

Sanchez has been the Caston coach since 2007.