Rec department starts track and field program

Craig Huling has undertaken another coaching opportunity.

Huling, the former track and field head coach at Oglethorpe County, has partnered with the recreation department to start a youth track and field program.

“Imagine just seeing these kids grow from elementary to middle school to high school, and they don’t have to start late (like) we typically do when it comes to track and field,” Huling said. “Now we have a chance to get them developed early, so they can be successful.”

Huling will be joined by his mentor and fellow AAU coach Dwight Howard Sr., who shares an interest in developing young athletes, as the two have worked together to run HopeHill Elite!, an AAU traveling track team.

Between the two, Huling estimated they have nearly 50 years of track coaching experience.

Howard took several athletes to the Junior Olympics from 1989 through 2020, and most recently in 2023. Howard, like Huling, shares a similar passion for coaching.

“I love it,” Howard said. “I know that coaching and mentoring is part of my calling from the Lord.”

The pair’s most recent Junior Olympics qualifiers included middle school athletes. Huling’s son, Chase Huling, is one, alongside Da’Nya Williams, who Craig Huling expects to compete with the rec team.

“I’m super excited to see D (Williams) because she’s coachable,” Huling said. “Not only that she’s coachable, you can tell that what we told her, we can see how it developed her in basketball … I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to see her develop as well as being able to coach her again when it comes to track and field.”

The program states that it’ll work with track athletes on events from the 50-meter dash to the 1,500. Huling said they’ll also work with athletes who specialize in field events, such as the long jump, high jump, shot put, discus and more.

Huling and Howard plan on working with the rec department to set up events. Until then, the plan is to practice from 6-7:30 p.m. each Sunday from Feb. 20 to May 4.

Huling said Howard will run the show — although he noted that he would be heavily involved as a coach — and that he’ll “be the voice on this track team.” Huling also has plans to get high school track and field athletes involved, especially since practices will be at the OCHS track.

Signups end Feb. 13, but Huling is ready to get started.

“I cannot wait,” Huling said. “All I need is for (rec director Michael White) to tell me what the schedule’s going to be, what the uniform looks like and we’re going to put this thing in motion. Man, I cannot wait.”