After almost a quarter of a century, Bryant Wright is retiring as the boys cross country head coach at Festus High School.
Wright coached the Tigers for 24 years and the girls team at the school for 21 years. He guided the boys team to 11 state championships, including eight in a row from 2014-2021. Their most recent state crown was in 2023. Wright won two more state titles (2014, 2017) coaching the girls. The Festus girls have won the last two Class 4 state championships under Wes Armbruster.
Wright’s 11 state titles with the boys are second all-time in the state behind Joe Bill Dixon (13) of West Plains.
“I felt like God was leading me in a different direction,” Wright said Friday. “I feel like the boys have a shot at winning state next year. I have at least three sophomores who are really good. I thought it would be awesome to see those boys go 1-2-3 but I think it’s time for somebody else take on those challenges.”
Festus activities director Jason Therrell said the school would start taking applications in January to hire the next boys coach and the new coach should be hired by next spring.
For a complete story, ready the Dec. 18 issue of the Leader.