Connecting with South Georgia Track & XC Programs

Bruce Taylor


South GA coaches, we are seeking your input on how to better connect with your programs and athletes on MileSplit GA and with the GATFXCCA (The Coaches Association). First, how can we help in getting meet results? Especially for weekday meets. We also would love to get high rez pics of top athletes from these weekend meets (that we cannot send photographers to) and write at least basic meet summaries for them. I know from years of experience, there are cameras taking pics all over the state. 


Let's discuss geography, referring to the 'gnat line' (which I spent over 30 years of my life below it) The Gnat Line is more or less the Fall Line, where the Piedmont meets the Coastal plain. Any point south of that and you find the eye gnat, so named because they get into your eyes, your nose and your mouth and are irritating as heck. I timed a A PUB Sectional in Camilla a few years ago and they were really bad.. This is a line where the disconnect seems to begin..

But, what is the disconnect between the schools/programs south of Columbus/Macon/Savannah? I'm aware of the miniscule budgets many schools may face. My oldest brother was at Thomasville for years and once told me their budget for Track was under $200 including entry fees. Now, this doesn't apply to a few schools that have 'actual' dedicated Track and XC Coaches that have enjoyed success this century. Bleckley County is a shining example of small school excellence behind the genius of Shelly Cranford. Jeff Davis out of Hazelhurst has been making big strides the past few years. Telfair County has also won 2 consecutive A PUB Girls XC titles. Tim Suttles from Montgomery County has been a huge boon to their program. Jamie Abrams began at Dublin, moved over to Lamar County and they began hosting multiple meets, and is now doing the same way down in Waycross (including MS) David Erpelding at Warner Robins has constantly strove to get south/central GA athletes/programs recognition and is striving to get their large MS County meet FAT. (which my son ran in years ago) Stands were packed, and it was exciting back then.. Larry Clark was a big influence down in Bainbridge for years and we get results out of Albany (a State meet host) for Invites and Region. 

There is no way to possibly mention everyone in this article, if I'm not mistaken, an Appling County coach was an officer in the GATFXCCA for a term. More and more large meets in south GA are getting FAT from the metro Timers (Perfect Timing, Fast Feet Timing, First Call Timing, etc.. and from out of Tallahassee (Miles and Minutes) Coaches, there is a way to submit results from your hand-held meets though. Just download RaceTab Meet Manager, follow the instructions, key in the data and submit results. Your athletes will appreciate it, as it will help populate your Team Pages on MileSplit GA. I know, this can be very time consuming, back in 2005, I collected all the finish line sheets from the Loch Johnson Invitational which often had over 25-30 teams, and it took me a whole day to input them. (Getting a Timer can eliminate that for you)

Coaches, the best way to connect with MileSplit GA is to register an account (totally free) apply to be a Team Admin/Coach, which once approved, gives you access to alot of data including meet results and allows you register your team and athletes for meets with MileSplit Online Entry which is FREE. Also, becoming a member of the Coaches Association (GATFXCCA) will help keep one in the loop to what is going on in the Sport. And... for only $50 a year, you can have access to all data, photos, video, etc. on MileSplit sites.


Coach Tommy Taylor (L) 

There are many great athletes that have come out of South GA, its quite evident in Football and Basketball, which are both 'King' in this area of the state. My dad, Tommy Taylor, came to little ol' Cairo back in 1957 after getting his Masters degree at FSU, and changed the fortunes of that community the following 18 years into 13 state track titles and many other sports titles and a great place to grow up (A larger Mayberry like in the Andy Griffith Show)... My dad,  was the most consumed person I have ever known with winning and having his athletes perform to their best. It was 24/7 for him. Sometimes, that's all it takes, is one man/woman or a collaborative hive with a vision and purpose to help athletes reach their potential. I know, its tough to get kids to run distance, go thru technical workouts.. but the rewards can be bountiful, even for that average student, who sets goals and reaches them personally. Please help let us know how to better you connect with MileSplit GA and the GATFXCCA (Coaches Association


Tyreek Hill flies across the finish line!
(photo by Bruce Taylor)

On a final note, think about Tyreek Hill from tiny Pearson, GA (Coffee County) Tyreek, was a sprint star in HS and is now THE most dangerous receiver in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs.. Let's help recognize top athletes from every corner of our state, as we are one of the top Track & Field hotbeds in the USA.