• Wesley Whitaker and Harry Corpeninig
    Wesley Whitaker                          Harry Corpening
     
    In the 1960's and 1970's there was only ONE RJR track team each school year, and they competed only during the spring semester.  Now, there are FOUR RJR track teams. In the past, the track team consisted of only boys.  Now there are boys track teams and there are girls track teams.  And as opposed to these teams only performing in the spring semester, there are now indoor track teams (that start in the fall semester) and there are outdoor track teams (that compete in the latter months of the spring semester). 

    On the eveing of October 6th, RJR Alumni President Harry Corpening staged a recorded Zoom Q&A conversation with RJR track coach Wesley Whitaker.  He coaches all four of the above mentioned RJR track teams.  In case you are wondering:  cross country is still a sport at RJR  There is a boys and a girls cross country team and a boys cross country team.  These teams have their own coach.

    Besides the track coaching job, RJR's JROTC is also taught by Wesley Whitaker, and if you want his official title:  it is Major Wesley Whitaker, and FYI:  JROTC stands for Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps).

    RJR JROTC Demon Batallion

    In the Q&A conversation Harry Corpening asked about all of the above mentioned track teams (and learned how they differ)...and he also discussed what JROTC is all about at Reynolds High School.  He learned that at RJR, JROTC is overseen by the Army but is NOT military-based.  It is instead a class that tries to get RJR students ready for their life after their schooling ends (and FYI:  JROTC has both male and female cadets, and presently the females are {and have been in the last several years} the leaders of the RJR Demon ROTC Battalion of cadets). The JROTC curriculum is centered around public speaking, resume writing, communication skills, leadership, interviewing skills, conflict resolution, and community service.  On average less than 5% of the cadets join the military.  

    To view the informative and entertaining video of the Q&A conversation: 

    click on the image at the top of the page.

    After listening to the video, you will know that RJR's track teams could certainly use some donations to help pay for such things as travel expenses and indoor track facility expenses, etc.  If you would like to make an immediate secure donation using your debit or credit card, click onto the following link.

    DONATE NOW!

    To make a donation via check:  mail your check (made out to "RJR Alumni") to:

    RJR Alumni  *  PO Box 26172  *  Winston-Salem, NC 27114. 
    On the memo-line, write in what your donation should be used for.

    ALL of the above mentioned track teams had VERY successful seasons during the last school year, and they will hopefully do even better this school year.  To briefly give some details: 

    2022-2023 Track Season:

    * Xavier Ratliff, a Senior this year, made the podium and finished 3rd in the 110 Hurdles, earning All-State Honors. 

    * Walt Peterson graduated with a full Track Scholarship at Trinity University In San Antonio, Texas. he made the podium and finished 4th in the 800-meter run, earning All-State Honors.  

    * Caroline Echols graduated last year and set six (6) school records (Indoor and Outdoor), numerous individual championships, and top 10 RJR All-Time List for Indoor and Outdoor Track. Caroline is currently attending Washington University in St. Louis. 

    The Track Team finished a historic outdoor season by accomplishing the following: 

    * 5 School Records 

    * 15 Performances added to the R. J. Reynolds All-Time Track and Field List 

    * 2 Conference Champions and 2 Conference Runners-up 

    * 2 Mid-West Region Champions and Region Runner-up 

    * 2 All-State Athletes 

    2023-2024 Indoor Track Season:

    The indoor track team should be outstanding this year. The group plans to travel to the following Indoor Track Meet outside our usual meets and state championships.

    * New Balance Track and Field Indoor Nationals 9-12 March 2024 in Boston, MA

                  *Participants would include Chandler Welsh and Mary Grace Iauco in the 2 Mile Run

                  *The Girls 4x400 Meter Relay with Elizabeth Smith, Maddie Morton, Jordyn Wright and Jamiyah Sides-Conrad

                   * Xavier Ratliff in the 60 Meter Hurdles

                   * Cedar Nicholas-Barnhart in the 2 Mile Run

    2023-2024 Outdoor Track Season:

    We expect a huge team this year and look forward to a stellar Outdoor Track Season. Noteworthy, there are NO tryouts for indoor and outdoor track, and regardless of talent level, if a student works hard, they are on the team. Wesley Whitaker believes in teaching the sport and building a team environment. RJR track teams are expected to compete in the following meets outside our regular schedule and championship track meets.

    * Arcadia Invitational National Track Meet 5-6 April 2024 in Arcadia, California 

    * Penn Relays High School National Track Meet 25-27 April 2024 in Philadelphia, Pa

    * New Balance Track and Field Outdoor Nationals 15-18 June 2024 in Philadelphia, Pa

    Participants for the above meets would include:

            * Chandler Welsh in the 3200 Mile Run

             * The Girls 4x400 Meter Relay with Elizabeth Smith, Maddie Morton, Jordyn Wright and Jamiyah Sides-Conrad

              * Xavier Ratliff in the 60 and 300-meter Hurdles

               * Cedar Nicholas-Barnhart in the 2 Mile Run

                *Andrew York in the 2K Steeple Chase.

    Chandler Welsh   Cedar Nicholas-Barnhart

    Chandler Welsh                                   Cedar Nicholas-Barnhart

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Last Modified on October 8, 2023