Clarke Central High School head track and field coach Alexis Hunter-Lonon leans on a hurdle in the Billy Henderson Stadium on March 14, 2024. One of reasons Hunter-Lonon came to Athens was to get closer
to family. “I have family who lives here. My siblings go to school here. I have one that’s in 10th grade, my sister just graduated, I have a sister in seventh grade (and) my parents live here,” Hunter-Lonon said. “So it was just kind of the well-roundedness of it. I really got to be around family.” Photo by Aza Khan
Journalism I Facilitator Angel Tejada speaks with CCHS head track and field coach Alexis Hunter-Lonon about her role.
Journalism I Facilitator Angel Tejada: What made you want to pursuetrack as a player and a coach?
Clarke Central High School head track and field coach Alexis Hunter-Lonon: I’ve run track since I was in seventh grade and it was just something that I identified with. My coaches were just easy to mesh with. They’re still people that I talked to pretty often every time I go home. I ran track for William James Middle School (in Bulloch County) and then (at) Statesboro High School, which is a five-day school in (Statesboro, Georgia). My coaches just really influenced me, so it made me continue track. It was also something I was good at, so I kept going.
Clarke Central High School head track and field coach Alexis Hunter-Lonon leans on a hurdle in Billy Henderson Stadium on March 14, 2024. Hunter-Lonon focused on improving the team with intentions of bringing sucess to CCHS. “Right now, I want to focus on where we’re at in the region so that we can get some numbers on there, possibly a region championship soon. Our boys cross country team did really well in state this year, so I’m hoping that we are able to bring the team together so that we can do it,” Hunter-Lonon said. Photo by Aza Khan
AT: While an assistant coach at Dillard University, what achievements did you earn?
AHL: I managed to get Assistant Track and Field Coach of the Year for cross country and then the year before that, so two assistant Track and Field Coaches of the Year and one Cross Country Assistant Coach of the Year. (Those were from my time at) Dillard University, and then also at Dillard University, we won seven championships.
AT: what made you want to come to CCHS?
AHL: I got a lot of experience (at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana) and had a lot of fun there. But as a young coach in the sports world, being an African American and also a girl were a hot commodity, as they say. The opportunities that I’m (able to get) now are ones that I shouldn’t pass up. The skills that I (could) learn for being a teacher will also help me with skills as far as athletes. They pair off of each other.
AT: What do you hope to achieve here at CCHS?
AHL: Relationship-building is one big thing. At any level of job that you have, you have to be able to build relationships. I hope to stay in the sports world. I hope to (stay working) on the professional level, so just understanding the different age groups of relationships is a really big thing that I would like to do. I was hoping for a championship or two while I’m here, at least so that the track and field program can grow to be able to host meets and be a little more well-known.
The opportunities that I’m (able to get) now are ones that I shouldn’t pass up. The skills that I (could) learn for being a teacher will also help me with skills as far as athletes. They pair off of each other.
AT: Did coaching a team come naturally to you or was there some personal growth needed to become comfortable with coaching?
AHL: No, it’s definitely a growth process and (a) process that I’m still learning a lot from. I went to Kennesaw State (University), so I ran track there and (I was) a coaching minor. So many of the skills I learned there got me started. I’ve always been in a position to have role models that I can just kind of bounce off of. That’s the greatest strength that I have (in) the track and field world around me. I can ask them even on (the) team (I’m on) now. Even though I’m pretty sure I’m the youngest (on the coaching staff ), there’s no secret to say that these coaches have been coaching longer than me and I don’t mind asking them questions about what they think of this event, or how they think this should go, because I’m also new to the high school world. Always being willing to ask questions is the greatest attribute you can have.
