By DEWEY TERRILL
JC Post

Bob Laster will bring his 32-year run as Junction City Blue Jay head wrestling coach to an end at the conclusion of the current season.  Laster has announced his intention to retire.

“I have already told my team that this is my last year as the Junction City High School wrestling coach. In fact this is my retirement year from teaching as well as from coaching.” Laster has also served as a physical education teacher at JCHS. He has spent a total of 35 years as a coach in the program, including three seasons as an assistant before becoming head coach. Laster also competed as a wrestler for the Blue Jays during his time as a student at JCHS.

“I’m 61 right now. Basically I want to do something different, and also give somebody else an opportunity to take over this program. I’ve been doing it for 32 years and I think it’s time for a change, and I’m ready to make that change.”

During his tenure there have been a number of outstanding wrestlers and good teams. Laster remembered a squad that finished second in the Class 6A State Tournament, some league championships and some individual wrestlers like Bobby Lashley, who went on to compete in professional WWE wrestling. ”

As for his future plans the coach stated they will include “anything to do with i-n-g. Traveling, fishing, golfing, any of those words. That’s my plan, just to keep up with the i-n-g  words.”

Laster will lead the Blue Jays into the Basehor-Linwood Invitational Tournament Friday and Saturday.