The cost of winning is losing everything. This is a common concept athletes across the nation follow, but for Washburn Rural, it’s a lifestyle. Washburn Rural is a six-A school with almost two thousand students, and almost half of them participate in a school sport. It’s no secret that Washburn’s athletic program is extremely successful. This sparks the question, How do they do it?
Just like any other school, Washburn built a set of rules that all of their athletes must follow. In the school handbook, they bring to the attention of the students that they are student-athletes and not athlete students. They must put their education before their sport, and can be kicked off the team if the athlete breaks these stipulations.
The Athletic Director, Charles Nimz, advised on how to best balance school and sports, “A student-athlete needs to set structure, students that have no structure are more likely to get into trouble.”
Just like every other school in Kansas, Washburn follows the expectations Kansas State High School Activities Association(KSHAA) sets, along with expectations the school sets to ensure that the students prioritize their education. A student must attend at least four classes in a normal school day to participate in practice on that day.
An example that proves these priorities is the school’s mission statement that states, “Washburn Rural High School provides a progressive environment of world-class academics, athletics, and activities to foster all students desires to learn and achieve through open discussion and self-discovery. As educators in pursuit of student success, we continually enhance our skills and knowledge so we may offer the most relevant, effective curriculum to achieve our vision.”
Student-athletes at Washburn Rural are expected to follow the good sportsmanship code of conduct. They must meet the set expectations given to them, this is to make sure they reach their full potential as athletes. The athlete must attend every practice unless discussed with a coach, and if they get caught with any possession of drugs or alcohol it results in an immediate expulsion from the team. All athletes are also required to turn in a physical that was performed by a healthcare professional after May 1 of that year. All of these expectations and rules could be the leading cause of the large amount of successful Washburn experiences, but there’s more key components to look at.
Every team is guided by a coach. In Washburn’s case their coaches are most likely teachers that work for the school. Although some of the coaches are rather new, like the cross country coach, Ian Cropp, who has been a coach for a little over a year, they host coaches who have been coaching for decades, such as the boys and girls soccer coach, Brian Hensyel.
“ A coaches’ relationships with their players is very very important, a good coach has a strong bond with the studs on the team and the underdogs of the team,” Nimz said.
The coaches seem to create a big impact on the success of the program. Nimz explained that without a good coach, there would not be the same amount of success they have today. Most athlete’s depend on their
coaches to bring them out of slumps, and push them to their full potential. Coaches set the expectation for students to have dedication and discipline in practice. They also keep an eye on students’ academic performance and hold them accountable for balancing their education with the various activities the school offers.
Physical ability and mental strength play hand in hand when it comes to being a good athlete. This is recognized and taught by the school. Another key concept to the program’s success has to do with the strong mentality of the athletes and the core physical ability
A boys varsity soccer player, Myles Didde said, “Washburn is strict but it will make you a better player because you constantly have to work hard.”
This covers the physical aspect of the program. This school stops at nothing to win. They know the risks and yet still take them. They do the impossible. For this to work their mental strength needs to match their physical ability
Cross county runner Harper Tenbrink said, “When you’re in a runner slump you just can’t wait to get back and you know it’s hard but the team shows a lot of love and support. It pushes you through your runner slump and back up to your full potential.”
There are moments each athlete will experience that make them feel like quitting, but something is keeping them around.
All of these steps Washburn Rural is taking have led them to an increasing amount of success. The varsity football team is ranked number eleven in the state, number five for six-A schools in Kansas, and number one in the district. Our program is not only recognized in the state, but also nationally. The boys varsity soccer team is ranked number one hundred and thirty nine in the nation in 2023, number four in the state, and number one in Topeka. The cross country team has been number one in the league for the past forty consecutive years.
Just viewing Washburn Rural one would assume that all of their success sprouts from the large number of participating athletes and student body, but there is so much more to it than that. Washburn Rural showed us that a successful program forms not just physically good athletes but also well-rounded and mentally prepared kids.
Any student-athlete from any program can be given a set of expectations to follow, but Washburn Rural meets these expectations and more. From going to a casual school day to giving everything they can on the field, these athletes represent their school with excellence.
A lot of credit is due to the coaches who not only put their hearts and devotion into what they do, but also build relationships with the athletes to make them feel comfortable on and off the field. Washburn Rural falls within the best of the best, and is a glowing example of success.
