Whether analyzing complex literature in the classroom or fine-tuning sprints on the track, Ladue Horton Watkins High School English teacher and head track coach Nick Buckvar has spent his career pushing for excellence. That relentless drive recently caught the attention of USA Track & Field (USATF), which selected Buckvar as one of only eight coaches nationwide for its prestigious National Championship Coaching Mentorship Grant.

As part of this elite national program, Buckvar will travel to New York City for the 2026 Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships, the country's premier track and field event, July 23–26. The grant will provide him with a rare opportunity to learn alongside high-performance programs and gain behind-the-scenes insights into elite athlete preparation, complex competition strategy, and real-time coaching decisions from America's top professional athletes and coaches.

For Buckvar, a 2003 Ladue Schools alum, the mentorship marks a milestone in a deliberate journey of professional development. Over the past several years, he has intentionally sought out advanced growth opportunities, presenting at coaching clinics nationwide and recently accepting a nomination as vice president of the Missouri Track & Cross Country Coaches Association.

"For several years, one of my long-term goals has been to become more involved with USATF’s High Performance programs, continuing to learn from the best coaches in our sport so I can better prepare my own athletes for opportunities at the highest levels," Buckvar shared. "I look forward to bringing new ideas, relationships, and experiences back to the track and field athletes I have the privilege of coaching and as part of the Ladue Schools community."

Buckvar occupies a unique space in Rams history, holding the distinction of winning state championships both as a student-athlete and as a head coach. In 2003, he won individual gold in the 200-meter dash, anchored a champion relay, and helped secure Ladue’s first-ever boys' team state title. In Spring 2024, he achieved an extraordinary coaching milestone by leading both the boys' and girls' teams to Class 4 state titles in the same weekend, marking the first time a Class 4 school had swept both divisions since 2013.

By continually expanding his professional expertise on a national stage, Buckvar models the qualities of a lifelong learner for the entire Ladue Schools community. This commitment to continuous growth directly shapes his approach to mentoring students, a philosophy he previously reflected on in the Summer 2024 edition of the Alumni Ramblings newsletter.

"I strive to be a transformational leader, and not a transactional leader," Buckvar shared in the alumni feature. "I want my leadership style to be asking the question, 'What can I do for you?' rather than, 'What can you do for me?' I hope our athletes take away how much passion I have for what I do and how much I love working with them, regardless of results and outcomes."

Please join us in congratulating Coach Buckvar on this outstanding national honor!