sports spotlight: david ayers

By Mike Tupa

Bartlesville Area Sports Report

DAVID AYRES

Since he took charge, the Bartlesville High School cross country program has shifted into a higher gear.

His teams have captured five state championships — three by the Lady Bruins (2014, 2015, 2016) and two by the Bruins (2016, 2017). 

Other top three finishes by his teams include: girls (2nd, 2017) and boys (2nd, 2015).

That added up to a total of six appearances on the medals podium during a stretch of four seasons.

Although the program has suffered some bad luck since in terms of high team success, Ayres’ system has continued to turn out top-tier runners, including Gentry Turner, who has put together a strong redshirt freshman performance this fall for the Oklahoma State women’s cross country team and Rilee Rigdon, who ran in the late 2010s and early 2020s for Oklahoma State.

In addition, Ayres has served the past several years as the Bartlesville head track & field coach, overseeing the development of multiple gold, silver and bronze state medalists.

Not only has he mentored student-athletes to excel in competition but also to shine in the classroom in his engineering and chemistry classes.

Ayers is a Bartlesville High product himself.

He didn’t just fall into teaching by chance. According to one newspaper interview he said he wanted to change lives for the better, spurred by the inspiration his teachers had shown him. 

Ayres has molded himself into a versatile mentor, encouraging students to realize both their athletic and academic potentials — both of which have built greater self-esteem and a lasting impact for generations to come.

David Ayers

Photo provided by Bartlesville Public Schools