Many young student-athletes dream of performing on a collegiate stage. For Taylor McMaster and Tybias Lay, that became a reality at the annual Classic City Track and Field Invitational held at the new University of Georgia Track and Field Complex on March 7.
The regional meet, co-hosted by Clarke Central High School and North Oconee High School, marked the first competition at the newly dedicated facility on South Milledge and brought athletes and their families from 28 schools to Athens to compete. Among the sea of competitors, Clarke Central High School and Cedar Shoals High School student-athletes stood proudly in their hometown.
Taylor McMaster, a freshman at Clarke Central, said her passion for track and field started in middle school. Since then, she has continued to hone her skills in the 100-meter hurdles, 300 hurdles and relays. During the invitational, Taylor set a personal best in the 100 hurdles, running a time of 18.5 seconds and shaving four seconds off her previous best. The atmosphere might have been a contributing factor.
“We’re [competing] at a UGA facility right now. You show how you move, how you are and your mindset. There are a lot of eyes on you and potential for scholarships,” McMaster said.
Cedar Shoals student-athlete Tybias Lay had a similar impression.
Lay’s love for the sport also started in middle school. He runs multiple events, but his favorite is hurdles. As a senior with ambitions to run in college, being able to compete at a facility like UGA’s new complex matters greatly to him.
“Everything is just different out here — the area, the air, the cameras and all the spectators watching the competitions,” he said. “By competing on the new track, I’m able to get more exposure than ever before.”
Clarke Central and Cedar Shoals track coaches shared their athletes’ enthusiasm for the facility because they know it will boost students’ confidence and enhance their performance on and off the track.
“It means everything for local students to step onto a collegiate track and realize they belong there. That experience can shift their mindset, build confidence and inspire them to pursue opportunities they may not have seen for themselves before,” said Lee Patterson, a UGA track and field alumnus and coach at Clarke Central.
More importantly, they are excited that they have access to a state-of-the-art track and field facility in their community.
“Competing on a collegiate track raises the level for our athletes, and it’s even more powerful when they get to experience that opportunity right here in their own hometown,” said Ka’lah Paige, Cedar Shoals track and field coach.
The University of Georgia’s track and field season is underway, and collegiate meets will follow the Classic City Invitational. As the season moves forward, UGA plans to provide information about public usage hours later this spring.
“I am thrilled the Classic City Track and Field Invitational was the very first competition to take place at our new track and field facility,” said Josh Brooks, UGA’s J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. “This event brought in young people from across our area and gave many of them an opportunity to compete at a college venue for the very first time. This is so crucial for our community and is one of the main reasons we wanted this new facility.”