The torch has been passed.
Now it’s up to the next generation to keep the championship flame burning.
Bryant Wright not only set a foundation for a cross country program, he framed it, installed all of the things necessary to support life in a sport that claims to “be the punishment for other sports,” and covered it with a roof of championship trophies that rival any coach in any sport.
Wes Armbruster was Wright’s master apprentice for years, before taking over the girls team from Wright in 2022, and leading it to the last two Class 4 state championships. Wright coached both teams until handing over the reins to Armbruster for the girls. Wright retired from coaching the boys after the 2025 season. Armbruster was hired to replace a legend.
“The boys team is gelling,” Armbruster said last week before the first meet.
“We’re growing together, and we return six of our seven guys who ran last year,” Armbruster said. “I know why people will be keeping a close eye on our program this year, and it’s for who’s not here – Carson (Driemeier) and Coach Wright. It’s a collective effort between us. We’re all on the same page and know what we’re shooting for, and the work’s being done.”
Driemeier won the last two individual state championships and is now at Iowa State University on scholarship. Wright will contribute, whether directly, or indirectly. Armbruster is a proven winner.
Like always, it comes down to the seven runners on a 3.1-mile (5K) course, and how they work together, to post scores low enough to win week after week. During the Tigers’ reign, they always had a No. 1 and No. 1A top two who were going to finish in the top five at state.
The next Festus runner across the state finish line in 2025 was Grant Fink, who was ninth with a time of 16:13.8. Fink said he was averaging running 70 miles per week in the weeks leading up to practice. He ran a PR of 15:43 at the Chili Pepper Festival last year.
“We always practiced consistency, and I think we’ve got it,” Fink said. “I want to put in 100 percent effort, and be able to say I gave it my all.
“I miss (Wright), but I think the program can move forward. I wouldn’t want any other person (to be head coach).”
Other Tigers who ran at state last year were seniors Chase Buechting and Chris Courtois and juniors Hudson Bates, Lucas DeClue and Matthew Collier. Bates was the other Festus all-state (top 30) finisher in 17th in 16:22.8. Armbruster said sophomore Riley Ross is the most improved runner in the program.
“Chris Courtois, if he’s not a top three or four runner, that’s fine, he’s doing a great job,” Armbruster said. “He’s been around Carson (Driemeier) and Tate (Uding) and Bryson (Rhine), so he knows what it takes. And when you include our juniors, who’ve been a part of these state teams to know what it looks like, that’s a good place to start a season.”
Festus is the defending Jefferson County Activities Association and District 1 champion. The Tigers have finished in second place the last two years to West Plains, which has won more state titles (15) than any other team. Herculaneum (13) and Festus (11) are never far behind and always capable of closing the gap.
Every summer, the Festus boys and girls teams travel to southwest Missouri to compete, learn and bond at Joe Bill Dixon’s Wilderness Running Camp. The Tigers and Zizzers, among other teams, spend a week in the woods and emerge more prepared for another grueling season. Of the four all-state runners West Plains had, three were juniors.
“They have four or five guys who are back from last year. We’re not going to hand it to them,” Armbruster said. “We’re going to make them earn it. And in turn, they’re going to make anybody who wants to beat them, earn it. That goes back to the respect the two programs have for each other.”
The Tigers began the season Aug. 29 with a 3-mile race at Civic Memorial High School in Illinois and finished one point behind Mount Vernon (62-61) for the title. Fink won the race by a gap of 11 seconds with a time of 15:30.74. DeClue (fourth, 15:50.56) and Bates (eighth, 16:11.95) were in the top 10.