McLoud High School is reviving its track program for the first time in more than 30 years and Coach Wayne Jaggers says he is really excited.
Jaggers returned to McLoud this year after having taught and coached at several schools in Oklahoma and Texas since he left here in 2003. “I was at McLoud from 1983 until 2003 and went to Grapevine High School,” Jaggers said.
Before leaving McLoud, he had spent the last four years as the school’s head football coach.
Jaggers said he is in his 39th year as an educator, noting, “This is my 30th year in coaching.”
The past two years he’d been at North Rock High School. Jaggers said is longest tenures have been at McLoud and Madill.
This year he is teaching high school pre-Calculus and Geometry.
Jaggers emphasized reviving the track program “is in its infancy stages. They actually had a track program here through the mid-70s and up until about 1982.”
Assisting Jaggers will be Cross Country Coach Jordan Anderson who Jaggers assisted this fall.
He stressed, “We’re extremely excited and appreciative that the Administration and the School Board is allowing track to come back and give the school another athletic program and reviving it.
“There has been a lot interest shown from students. We’re going to encourage as many students who want to come out and participate in the program,” Jaggers said.
He noted, “They’re here first for an education. Track is not easy. It takes mental toughness and commitment. It’s a very rewarding sport team wise and individually with multiple events that include running, throwing and jumping different distances,” Jaggers said.
The veteran educator and coach explained, “We’re looking for work ethic and positive attitude.”
Regarding when the program will start, Jaggers pointed out Dec. 1 is when it’s allowed to begin. “We’re doing a little bit to get signups going. When we come back for the second semester in January, those not involved in other sports can get going.”
Jaggers said they’ve done a tentative survey and it shows that about 70 students have indicated they are interested in joining.
The track program will utilize an area near where the school’s Cross Country program is now. Jaggers says, “We can utilize that land for practice. We’ll be resourceful and try to get on some other tracks,” he said, emphasizing, “Where there’s a will there’s a way.”
“We’ll open our schedule in early March. We’re allowed eight track meets, the regionals are at the last of April and the state meet is May 6-7,” Jaggers stated.
“We look forward to putting together a track program the school and community can be proud of,” he continued.