A RUSTON SENIOR SPEAKS TO THE BEART TRACK & FIELD TEAM BEFORE LAST YEAR'S MEET
In 1993, Ruston track and field coach Dave Anderson went to the adult children of the late, legendary Ruston High School coach L.J. "Hoss" Garrett. He wanted to honor the legend by naming Ruston's home meet after their father-and the Garrett family for their contributions to the school and community.
The Garretts gave their blessing, after "Hoss" Garrett's son, Pat, who was an All American sprinter for both Ruston and Louisiana Tech, invited Anderson over to his house to listen to the plans Anderson had.
But it didn't stop with the name of the meet.
Anderson started the tradition with his Bearcats on the eve of the meet. The team walked behind the stadium to Greenwood Cemetery where Garrett is buried.
Standing around the grave, Anderson spoke to his team about how influential "Hoss" Garrett was to Ruston High School and the Ruston community. He talked about the family members, who were all Bearcats, and all found ways to give back to RHS. Anderson also spoke to his team about why it's important to give back, and how fortunate they were to be a part of the Ruston Bearcat legacy.
It was emotional. It was an emotional time for the coach. And it was an emotional time for his athletes.
At some point during the tradition, the senior Bearcats began to take an active part in the tradition. They talk about what it has meant to them to be a part of the program, how the program has impacted their life, and the memories made as a Bearcat which they will carry with them for the rest of their life.
Last year, at the "Hoss" Garrett Relays it was Anderson's turn to be recognized as Ruston High School named the track after Anderson. The Bearcat coach between 1991 and 2012, Anderson led the program to nine state titles, including the first ever girls title in school history.
When Anderson left Ruston to continue his career in Arkansas, Anderson coached athletes who held 39 of 42 school records, including six athletes who earned All-American honors.
Anderson believes all six Ruston All-Americans will be in attendance at the "Hoss" Garrett Relays on Friday.
The "Hoss" Garrett Relays hits different for the track and field athletes at Ruston High School. It's not just another meet. Memories will be made-one last time for Bearcat seniors like Jada Williams, Caleb Babineaux, and the nation's No. 1 triple jumper, Brandon Green. Those memories will begin this afternoon when the Bearcats make their way to where the legendary coach is buried.
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It will also be special for the friends and family of the Ruston athletes, most of whom have not had the opportunity to see the Bearcats in action during the 2022 outdoor season.
Ruston began their season in College Station at the Bluebonnet Invitational. Week two saw, Green and Louisiana Tech signee, Bryanna Craig, compete in New York City at the Nike Nationals Indoor Meet, while the rest of the team competed in the Yellow Jacket Relays in Shreveport. The Bearcats went back to Texas last weekend for the historic Texas Relays.
While those competitions might have been bigger meets with more competition than what they will expect from the other North Louisiana teams in attendance, the meet the Bearcats will remember the most is the one on their own campus.
