Wright City High School has announced Shannon Wells will be its next varsity baseball coach. Activities director Doug Smith says Wells was selected from a generous pool of quality candidates to …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
Attention subscribers
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue
Need an account?
Print and web subscribers
If you're a print and web subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one.
Online-only subscribers
If you are a digital subscriber with an active, online-only subscription then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you've not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
Non-subscribers
Click here to see your options for becoming a subscriber.
Wright City Hires New Baseball Coach
Posted
By Derrick Forsythe, Record Sports Editor
Wright City High School has announced Shannon Wells will be its next varsity baseball coach.Activities director Doug Smith says Wells was selected from a generous pool of quality candidates to replace second-year coach Dave Chapman.Smith believes the presence of a high school social studies teaching job enticed more applicants.“We interviewed a number of people for the position,” said Smith. “We found a perfect combination in Shannon. He’s going to be an outstanding teacher and has had a lot of success coaching.”Wells previously coached at Elsberry High School, recording 71 wins over seven seasons.“My main mission is to continue building on the success they had last year,” said Wells. “I think I can help take them to that next level and push on into state play.”He led the Indians to a district title and third-place finish in the Eastern Missouri Conference this season."My goal has always been to win the district and conference title,” said Wells.“We’ve certainly gotten someone of high caliber in Shannon,” added Smith.Wells is a graduate of New Franklin High School and Columbia College.He says a desire to find employment closer to his home in Lake Saint Louis prompted the move.“Wright City had everything I wanted,” asserted Wells. “It was a no-brainer.”Wells takes over for Chapman, who led the Wildcats to their first district championship appearance and EMO title in seven seasons. He guided Wright City to a mark the past two years.“It’s been a great ride,” said Chapman. “I’ve loved every minute of being the baseball coach and being around these kids.”Chapman, who previously coached varsity girls basketball at Wright City, will remain in the district as a middle school physical education teacher.“It’s time for me to move on,” said Chapman. “I’d like to stay close to the program, but it’s time for me to step down.”Athletic Director Douglas Smith says he would like to see the program avoid taking a step backward in transition, perhaps securing a rare playoff berth next season. The Wildcats graduated five seniors, including three pitchers, but have a strong base of underclassmen returning.“The groundwork is there to continue moving in the right direction,” acknowledged Smith. “We want to make sure these kids are given every opportunity to succeed.”
Wright City coach Dave Chapman addresses his team following the final game of the season. Shannon Wells has been chosen to replace Chapman.
