The Kansas Track and Field Association recognized Don Bristow and Mary Kratky between basketball games on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. They both received the Kansas Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association's Longevity Award. The Kansas Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association’s Longevity Award is presented to those coaches in Kansas who have been coaching their student/athletes for 30 years or more.

Mary Kratky has been coaching track & field for 30 years. She currently coaches volleyball and basketball at Wilson Schools. Coach Mary Kratky has been coaching track and field for 30 years! She started her career at Grant Middle School in Goodland and coached there for 26 years. When hired at Grant she was tasked with starting the girls’ middle school athletic program in the sports of volleyball, basketball and track and field. She coached four years here at Wilson. In addition to coaching she has been a PE/Health and Social Studies teacher for 40 years! For 12 years of that time she also served as the middle school athletic director. Mary indicated that the highlight in her career has been seeing nearly 50 girls come out for the sports at the middle school once it was started and to watch them develop and grow as athletes. It was rewarding to see them work hard day after day and watch them earn medals and ribbons. Mary concluded by saying “it has been very satisfying watching the student athletes grow into the amazing, successful young men and women they have become”.

Coach Bristow has been coaching track and field for an amazing 48 years! Three of those years were at Utica and the last 45 years have been here in Wilson. In addition, he has coached cross country for five years during that time. It is obvious that Coach Bristow has devoted his life to working with the student/athletes who have been a part of his teams! The highlights for Coach Bristow include coaching his two individual state champions. In 1977 he coached the 1A state champion in the softball throw and in 2002 he coached Hanna Wagner to the 1A State high jump title. Hanna went on to be an All American High jumper at Bethany College. Coach Bristow loves working with his athletes and is looking forward to more seasons ahead!

Our community is lucky to have these two individuals working with our student-athletes at Wilson Schools. Congratulations Coach Bristow and Coach Kratky!