Jason Retz, Head Coach St Joseph ogden

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Coach Jason Retz 

Retz has coached at St. Joseph-Ogden High School since 2013.  He was previously Head Track Coach at Arcola High School for 5 years, the assistant women's coach at Charleston High School for two years.  He is a specialist in distance running, but is competent in all areas of track and field.  Coach Retz graduated from St. Joseph-Ogden High School where he competed in Cross Country and Track, among other sports.  From there he continued his running and studies at Danville Area Community College. While at DACC, Retz earned All-American honors in the 3200m relay. After graduating from DACC he transferred to Eastern Illinois University completing his BA and MA.  Track and Cross are his passions and continues to learn to help his athletes maximize their athletic abilities.

Coach Retz's Athletes have earned 63 All-State Medals and have produced nine state trophies, first place in cross country 2014 and 2016, second in 2018 for the girls, a pair of third place finishes in 2015 for the boys and girls cross country teams, and a an assistant for the girls in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 for their trophy runs in track.

Ava Knap is a junior at St. Joseph Ogden High School. She is involved in NHS, high honor roll, student council, and FCA. Ava is the valedictorian for her class and is actively involved in cross country and track and field. As a distance runner, Ava was the first of her class to log both 1,000 and 2,000 lifetime miles. Her plans for her future involve running in college and getting a degree in biomedical sciences.