North Reading High School softball Coach Walter “Rusty’’ Russell has coached softball for 27 years, and now has more than 400 wins. According to Boston.com, Russell has developed the softball program to be one of the best in Massachusetts.

Throughout the past 27 years, Russell has won over 400 games; two state championships, in 1999 and 2007; one Eastern Massachusetts crown and 19 Cape Ann League titles. His 400th win happened when the Hornets beat Manchester Essex last week. His current record, according to the NRHS Athletic Director Dave Johnson, is 402-168.

"Coach Russell, he's got a very fiery spirit, which I think is very infectious to the kids. He is a very competitive person and he works real hard to put his team in a position to win every time," Johnson said. "He certainly hasn't slowed down at all when it comes to his passion for winning, and his passion for making sure the experience that the girls have in the softball program is a positive one."

Russell's current softball team is in the playoffs with an 18-2 record. They are the number two-seeded team in Division 2 of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) tournament.

Another honorable mention for the softball coach this year: the Coach of the Year award for the Cape Ann League.

Russell was an elementary school teacher for most of his career at the Hood School. He retired in 2010.