Junction City Blue Jay head wrestling coach Bob Laster completed a 32-year stint in that capacity with the team’s postseason banquet Tuesday evening at the senior high school.

It was bittersweet for the longtime coach. “It’s a little sad, but I’m really happy about my legacy that I was able to leave for Junction City. So I’m not that disappointed. I’m looking forward to my new chapter in my life and I’m just hoping that Blue Jay wrestling continues in the direction that it has been going.”

There is one accomplishment mentioned by the coach. “I was the first black head coach at Junction City High School. I think that opened up our view as far as how they looked at diversity, and I think that helped out with a lot of other coaches that followed after me but that’s probably one of the proudest things besides some of the other things I’ve accomplished as far as awards, but I’m really proud about that.”

Laster guided I-70 and Centennial League championship teams, and squads that placed high in the Class 6A State tournament during his tenure.

During the team’s postseason banquet Tuesday evening numerous letters and certificates were presented to Blue Jay wrestlers. Terrance Adeleye was named the most valuable wrestler, James Hancock the most improved wrestler, and the Brandon Bramlage award that goes to a freshman was presented to Hayden Diestelkamp.