Track
Atlanta is set to host the 29th running of the Atlanta Lions Club/Gordon Pynes/Runnin’ Rabbs Relays this Saturday, Mar. 16.
Atlanta has won the meet 19 times in the 28 years since its inception in 1996. The Runnin’ Rabbs won 12 of the first 13 meets with one year being canceled due to weather.
Texas High won the meet in 2009 followed by Longview in 2010 but the Rabbs retained the title in 2011. Texas High won three in a row before weather once again canceled the event in 2015. Tatum won in 2016 and no other team has won since 2017 except Atlanta.
COVID intervened in 2020 and successfully shut down all Spring sports but the Runnin’ Rabbs have won the last five meets.
Ten records at the Rabbs Relays are held by Atlanta track members including the 2004, 1600m relay run by Curtis Burns, Dallas Washington, Calvin Graham and Nick Miller.
The field will be absolutely loaded this weekend as the Rabbs welcome Tyler Chapel Hill, White Oak, DeKalb, Carthage, Lindale, Gladewater, Winona, Queen City, James Bowie, Jefferson, Texas High, Pleasant Grove, Marshall, Troup, Paris, Longview, Linden-Kildare, Maud, Liberty-Eylau, Gilmer, Pine Tree and Arkansas High.
Up to this point in the season, head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ programs Nick Miller is very pleased with the progress of both teams.
“On the boys’ side we lost two outstanding relay runners to graduation, and I thought this would be a rebuilding year in that area but it hasn’t been,” Miller remarked. “We’ve had guys fill in some roles and they have done a great job. Each individual has surpassed my expectations and have done very well.”
“Our relay teams have faced some stiff competition against 5A and 6A opponents and we’ll be ready to go when we face off against 3A teams at district and beyond,” Miller said. “When our senior relay leader Eli Riojas went down with an injury, we’ve had some guys step up and fill in nicely. When he gets back to full health, I feel we’ll make a good run at state.”
“On the girls’ side they have a lot of depth there to where we can plug athletes in different events across the board,” Miller said. “Overall, the girls’ have done a fantastic job and after qualifying for state last year they are ready to make a run.”
“Early on in the season we were running without the girls who were still playing basketball and doing well, and once the basketball girls joined in things started to click, especially the relays,” Miller continued. “I am very pleased with the progress on the girls’ side and believe they have a legit chance at success.”
Whenever you have a large group of athletes to coach and travel with, all hands are needed to ensure safety and success.
“All of our coaches help in many different areas on both the girls’ side and the boys’ side, and I am adamant that all events are coached,” Miller said. “When you take anywhere from 70 to 75 kids to different meets you need help, and I am thankful to have the assistance I have because they all help in a very big way.”
As always, the hometown crowd shows up for this event and Coach Miller is very thankful for the support.
“Atlanta always has a core group of fans and parents that travel with the group and whenever we are at home our stands are packed,” Miller said. “I want to thank our community for their continued support of our track program because the community support here is always amazing.”
“It’s always a great atmosphere when the community comes out and supports the kids and it serves as motivation for our athletes and really gets the adrenaline going when you have a large crowd cheering you on,” Miller added. “This meet is one of the biggest premier meets in East Texas that pulls in a lot of schools to compete with. It’s a big meet, on a big stage, with big programs and we are looking forward to it.”
Field events kickoff at 9 a.m. with finals set for 2:30 p.m.