Gatewood’s track and field teams are off to an impressive start to the regular season, with both the boys and girls squads showing promise under the guidance of head coach Jeff Ratliff.
On the girls’ side, the Gators have already made a statement.
“We got off to a good start,” Ratliff said, noting the team finished as runners-up to Brentwood in their most recent meet. “Brentwood is probably one of the better teams in the state, so that’s the team we’ve got to try to catch at the state meet.”
Leading the way for Gatewood is senior Presley Moss, the team’s returning MVP. Moss has run the 400 meters in under 60 seconds this season, a feat Ratliff called “outstanding” and “probably the fastest” he’s coached in 17 years with girls’ track.
Moss also anchors Gatewood’s relay teams, runs the 200-meter race, and remains undefeated in the 400-meter race this season.
Ratliff also highlighted his strong senior class of girls, including sprinter and long jumper Delaney Ball, versatile jumper Riley Roberts, multi-event athlete Natalie Sills, and Ellie McMillian.
“I’ve got a good group of seniors who’ve been with me for a while, and a couple of juniors to back them up,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Gatewood boys team has also made significant strides.
Junior Jack Wooten has emerged as the team’s standout athlete, competing in the 200and 400-meter events and running on relay teams.
“Jack Wooten is a stud,” Ratliff said. “He’s trying to go below 50 [seconds] in the 400. He’s running 51 right now, but he’s undefeated in the 400 and works really, really hard every day.”
Ratliff also praised his seniors' contributions, particularly noting Jackson Lundy’s experience and consistency.
“Jackson does an outstanding job for me. He’s been running for so long, and he runs on all those events where we’re scoring,” Ratliff said. “Then you’ve got Bodie Corry and Mason Sinclair, and they’re all helping us pick up points.”
The boys won their first two meets but narrowly fell to Brentwood in a recent meet.
“It was close, but again, the regular season is just to see where we’re at,” Ratliff said. “Both teams showed me we’re in the mix. If we keep working and figure out a way to get some extra points, we have a chance at the state meet.”
Ratliff also noted the benefits of having multisport athletes on the track team.
“Especially with football guys, it helps that they come out for track and stay in shape,” said Ratliff, who also leads the school’s football team.
With strong leadership from seniors and rising stars on both squads, Gatewood’s track and field program is building momentum toward a potential state championship run later this spring.