By Andrew Korba

Ohio Northern women's basketball coach Michele Durand has been named 2013 RUSSELL ATHLETIC /WBCA NCAA Division III Region 6 Coach of the Year.

This is the second time Durand has earned this honor, also winning the award for the 2007-08 season.

She is now a finalist for the 2013 RUSSELL ATHLETIC/WBCA NCAA Division III Nation Coach of the Year Award, which will be announced on Monday, April 8 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Durand led the Polar Bears to their first OAC Regular Season and Tournament Championship since the 1987-88 season. She also guided Northern to a program record 27-2 mark, including a 25 game winning streak.

On March 1, Durand led ONU to a 86-68 win over Hanover (Ind.) in the first round of the NCAA III Tournament. It was the first appearance and win for the Polar Bears in the tournament since the 1988-89 season and was also Durand's 300th career victory.

In 12 seasons at ONU, she has an overall record of 179-140 (56.1 percent). Her 179 wins are second most in Ohio Northern women's basketball history.