Coach and math teacher Jim Wagner at Washburn Rural High School announced back in November of 2023 that he would be retiring after the 2024 Track & Field season. Throughout the years of coaching high schoolers, Wagner has numerous stories and a handful of memories, but first, he explains how it all started:

“For Cross Country I started in 1996 through 2001 and then I took a break from coaching until I came back in 2017. Track I’ve been doing since 1993, so 31 years.”

With countless seasons comes countless memories, however, Wagner pinpoints his favorite:

“I think my favorite memories from my years of coaching are just the relationships I’ve built with all the athletes and seeing them develop through the season for whatever sport that was involved. Mainly seeing the growth from their freshman through their senior year.”

All good things must come to an end, so Wagner explains how he made the difficult decision of retiring,

“The state of Kansas allows me to retire at age 55, and so I think I’m ready to move on and do other things, see where that leads me.”

However, before he can retire, Wagner still anticipates of the 2024 track and field season which he says,

“I’m looking forward to number one the people who have been out before, see how much they can improve and the new ones. Trying to build relationships with them and watching them grow throughout the season.”

Throughout the many years of Wagner teaching and coaching, he has made a lasting impact on students and athletes alike. Most importantly to him, however, is watching the growth throughout the years.