Since Randall Schultz began coaching track at Fitzgerald seven years ago, it has been a goal of his to return the Purple Hurricanes to the top of the state track heap. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the last of four consecutive 2A state track championships, and Schultz would like nothing more than to celebrate the anniversary with a state title of his own.
From 1987-1990, the ‘Canes were unbeatable in track. Those athletes dominated every event and set state records, at least one of which still stands. Cory Holland, who went on to run track at Mississippi State, set the state triple jump record of 48’ 11 ½”, which has never been broken. Fitzgerald’s 4×100 relay team set a state record that was only broken a few years ago and remains the third-fastest 4×100 time in 2A history. One member of that team, Earl Brown, coaches at Fitzgerald today; he turned his talent on the track into a college education at Fort Valley State. “Those guys who are still around Fitzgerald are still involved in the program. They stop by and see our current team members when they can,” says Coach Schultz.
In March, Fitzgerald recognized that 1990 team at its home invitational. It was fitting tribute to the last of a truly great chapter in Purple Hurricanes’ athletic history.
In addition to celebrating those state championship teams, this year is a landmark year for Fitzgerald track for another reason. The Purple Hurricanes will host the 2015 Sectionals meet, which the team is able to in large part because of the fantastic track facilities Fitzgerald now has. The track features a world-class surface, a timing shed, and bleachers that seat 1,000 spectators. “It’s a great facility for a small school in South Georgia,” says Coach Schultz. Sectionals will bring in 2A track teams from all over the area, and it will be a time for Fitzgerald to showcase not only its top notch facilities but also its potential state championship track talent. “Our goal was to win at the region level. We’ve done that – our men have won two out of the last three region titles and our girls won region in 2011 and 2013. We’ve got all of our point scorers back from last year but one. We’ve won region; now we want to win state,” says Coach Shultz.
Special Feature/South Georgia/April 2015
Fitzgerald Track and Field
Fitzgerald, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
Fitzgerald High celebrates four-straight state track championships, lands 2015 Sectionals meet
