Hall of Fame

WAYNE JACKSON

Certain names are synonymous with success. Coach Wayne Jackson of Arkansas City High School has set the mark for success and achievement for Kansas High School wrestling. Few coaches throughout the country have approached Coach Jackson’s record setting performance at the helm of the Bulldog tradition.

The Ark City High graduate began his success in 1966 as a Kansas state runner-up in the 95-pound weight class, helping the Bulldogs to a team state championship. He followed with another state runner-up finish in 1968 at 112 pounds, and a third place finish at 120 pounds in 1969 and another team championship for the Bulldogs. Coach Jackson continued his competitive career at Kansas State University. He finished fourth in the Big 8 at 134 pounds in 1972, third in 1973, and second in 1974 in the same 134-pound class. Each placing qualified Coach Jackson for the NCAA tournament those same seasons.

Simply put, Coach Jackson’s high school coaching career has been stellar. He headed the Bulldog program from 1979 to 2000 and won a record thirteen Kansas State Team championships during his tenure. In addition, the Bulldogs were runner-up four times, third four times, and fourth once during Coach Jackson’s career heading Ark City. The team’s accomplishments were propelled by the success of 150 individual state placers and an incredible fifty-seven individual state champions. With Coach Jackson at the helm, Ark City won an incredible record of 205 dual wins versus only fourteen dual losses.

Coach Jackson has remained involved with Ark City wrestling since stepping down in 2000. His coaching record remains unmatched in Kansas wrestling.