New Logan County High School Athletic Director Greg Howard has announced his own successor as Cougar and Lady Cougar cross country coach, and it’s one of his own.

“Logan County High School would like to announce the hiring of Joe Dan Laster as our new cross country coach. Joe Dan is a former All-State runner for the Cougars and brings with him a passion for the program and its runners,” Howard said.

“Coach Laster was a prominent figure in leading the Cross Country Cougars to their first ever visit to the KHSAA State Cross Country Championship in 2008. Since that time the Cougars have remained at the elite level and Coach Laster hopes to continue that success, and then some. Joe Dan recently wed Caitlynn Oberhausen (Auburn grad) and they are both excited to return “Cougar Nation.” Coach Laster comes to us via Todd County Middle School. While there, he successfully started a middle and elementary school cross country team.”

Laster, who is a graduate of WKU, will teach science at Chandlers Middle School. He is the son of Jeff and Denise Laster of Lewisburg.

“Being the successor to Coach Howard is not something I will be taking lightly. I will continue to teach all the things he passed on to me and to all of his other athletes,” Laster said. “I will continue to be a beacon to all the young people in this county. I will do everything I can to bring success to this program. This program will not falter and it will just as high if not higher expectations than what Coach had.

“However, to build this program to be what I know it can be, I need to get more young people involved at younger ages. I'd like to have a very competitive middle school and high school group. So this is my open invitation to any parent who wants their child to be involved in a sport or knows their child likes to run. I want them on my team. I want them involved. Practice starts the first day of school at LCHS. Any questions or concerns feel free to ask! I'm looking forward to working with you all.”

Laster noted his gratitude to Todd County school officials for getting his professional career started, however:

“I'd like say a huge thank you to everyone at Todd County. It was a gamble to hire me, just coming off of student teaching and having to come in half way through the school year. You all made my first six months of teaching the most amazing it could have possibly been. I have memories that will last a life time. I will miss all of you so very much.”

“I'm excited to have been given this new and very exciting opportunity,” Coach Laster said. “I'm excited to be at Chandlers and to work with the amazing staff that they have there!”

Coach Howard concluded, “We are proud and excited to have one of our own back with us and now becoming a vital part of the Logan County Cross Country Program. If you get a chance, be sure and welcome Coach Laster and Caitlynn back to Logan County!”