Staples High School Educator& Coach Wins National Track Title

WESTPORT, CT — Dr. Wole Ogunkoya, a social studies teacher and girls track and field assistant coach at Staples High School in Westport, won a national title last month at the 2026 USA Track & Field Masters Indoor Championships, the district announced.

Ogunkoya earned the gold medal in the men’s 45–49 long jump at the meet, held Feb. 19–22 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The annual championships, organized by USA Track & Field, drew athletes from across the country age 25 and older to compete in age-group divisions.

His victory places Ogunkoya among national champions in the Masters division and adds a competitive achievement to his professional role as an educator and coach.

The Masters Indoor Championships are a fixture on the U.S. track and field calendar and feature competitors who train and compete while balancing careers and other responsibilities. Events are contested across multiple disciplines, including sprints, distance races, throws and jumps.

"We are incredibly proud of Dr. Ogunkoya for this extraordinary achievement, which reflects his passion, perseverance, and dedication to excellence both on and off the track," said Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice in a statement. "His success is a testament to the types of teachers
we have in our classrooms and the inspiring leadership Wole provides to our student-athletes every day."