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Valley Coast Running & Fitness partnered with Bainbridge Decatur Recreation Authority this spring to bring youth track & field to rural South Georgia. In a matter of 6 weeks of training and educating 40+ local youth in the community about various events in track & field, Coach Heather Smith and her team of volunteer coaches – Coach Kregg Close, Coach Reketa Keaton and Coach Albert Williams (including junior coaches Tatiana Smith and Trinity Smith) – divided and conquered. They had approximately 20 youth compete at the Thomasville YMCA District 3 Track & Field meet in Thomasville, Georgia on April 14^th & 15^th, ranging from the 50m to the 3200m, as well as field events like the standing long jump and the softball throw. “Track & Field is my other life, outside of my family, which translates to: I love this sport and the life-changing results for many youth. To watch young runners and jumpers compete and represent their family and community is rewarding for all coaches. We are proud of all these youth and thankful to their parents for their support,” adds Coach Smith.

Despite a long 2 days at the GRPA District 3 Track & Field Meet, the team had 11 youth moving forward, with 22 events qualified and 10 of those were GRPA District 3 Championship Titles. The following athletes will be competing at the GRPA Class B/C State Track Meet, in Jefferson, Georgia, on May 12 & 13^th, 2023. In the meantime, track practice for these youth resumes for the next few weeks.