LIFETIME SERVICE TO WRESTLING

·       Official, Western Washington Wrestling Officials Association: 2019-present

·       Official, South Sound Wrestling Officials Association: 1969-2019

·       Official, Pacific Northwest Wrestling Officials Association: 1967-1968

·       Coach, Shelton MS: 1976-1986

Janda attended Renton High School, where he competed in both cross country and wrestling, graduating in 1963. He was a member of the league-championship cross country team and excelled on the mat as the West Central District Regional Champion in wrestling. His leadership and work ethic earned him the role of team captain, and he received his team’s Inspirational Award, reflecting the respect of his teammates and coaches.

Janda continued his athletic career at Western Washington University, wrestling for the Vikings and graduating in 1967. Immediately following his college graduation, he transitioned into officiating — beginning with the Pacific Northwest Wrestling Officials Association in Seattle in 1967. In 1969, he joined the South Sound Wrestling Officials Association, where he has served continuously for 50 years, becoming one of the most enduring and respected officials in Washington wrestling history.  Later in 2019, he joined the Western Washington Wrestling Officials Association and is still an active official.

Janda’s officiating résumé includes assignments at state championships in the 1980s and selection to work the first five Mat Classic WIAA State Championships beginning in 1989, a testament to his consistency and professional standard. Throughout his career, he earned repeated recognition from peers, being named Black Hills League Official of the Year multiple times during the 1980s. For his long-term commitment and excellence, he was honored as the WIAA Official of the Year in 2019 and received the Washington Officials Association President’s Award in 2024. In 2025, the Pierce County Athletic Commission named Janda the Wrestling Official of the Year.

In addition to wrestling, Janda made significant contributions to cross country and track & field as a coach and official. He guided athletes and teams to state championship competition, including coaching a Cross-Country State Champion and a girls 4×200 relay team that set a state meet record. His impact earned him Black Hills Cross Country Coach of the Year honors. He continues to support high-school athletics as an official at the 4A/3A/2A State Track & Field Championships, serving as Clerk of the Course and a member of the Jury of Appeals.

Janda retired from coaching in 1999 and currently works as part of the security staff for the Washington State Senate. He and his wife Janet reside in Shelton, Washington. They have two adult children, Jason and Robyn, and are proud grandparents to Brittany, Nicolaus, and Henry, and great-grandparents to Briggs.