Clarke Central High School varsity cross country and track and field runner James “JD” Daniel, a senior, celebrates in the CCHS Billy Henderson Strength & Conditioning Center on Oct. 22. Daniel, who has run for both varsity sports since he was a freshman, announced his decision to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Georgia. “(Daniel has) done extremely well academically, but more importantly, he’s a good person,” CCHS Athletic Director Dr. Jon Ward said. “He’s humble, he is disciplined (and) he’s very much about a (team’s) common good. It’s been great to have (him as) a part of our student body.” Photo by Iliana Tejada
CCHS varsity cross country and track and field runner James “JD” Daniel announced plans to continue his academic and athletic journey on by committing to run track and cross country at UGA on Oct. 22.
Clarke Central High School varsity track and field and cross country runner James “JD” Daniel, a senior, announced his commitment to continuing his academic and athletic career at the University of Georgia during an athletic ceremony in CCHS’ Billy Henderson Strength & Conditioning Center on Oct. 22
JD had previously considered offers from Johns Hopkins University and Washington University, but ultimately stuck with UGA. As a four-year varsity student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA, holding records for CCHS’ track and field team’s 800-meter race and 4×800-meter relay, as well as the cross country team’s 5K, JD’s choice to sign with UGA and apply to its Honors Program is a continuation of his academic and athletic successes.
“At the end of the day you can’t beat UGA. (Going there) has always been a dream of mine,” JD said. “I love the (athletic) facilities, I love the type of people who are there (and) I think it’s the best fit overall. Also, (going to an) Honors College will give me that extra education I was really looking for.”
A video shows Clarke Central High School varsity track and field and cross country runner James “JD” Daniel, a senior, announcing his commitment to the University of Georgia in the CCHS Billy Henderson Strength & Conditioning Center on Oct. 22. CCHS cross country assistant coach Lee Patterson has coached Daniel closely throughout his four years at CCHS and has seen him grow into a role model for the team. “(Daniel’s commitment allows his teammates) to see the highest level. Most kids on the team are underclassmen, so now (they’ve) seen the expectation. (Daniel) is the perfect example (of) what this should look like,” Patterson said. Video by Edie Ash
The decision also places JD in the footsteps of CCHS varsity cross country assistant coach Lee Patterson, who ran for UGA’s track and field team from 1999-2002 and coached JD throughout his time at CCHS.
Clarke Central High School varsity cross country and track and field runner James “JD” Daniel, a senior, sits with his family in the CCHS Billy Henderson Strength & Conditioning Center on Oct. 22, when he announced his decision to continue his athletic and academic journey at the University of Georgia. Daniel’s mother, Susan Daniel, assisted him with his college search, which was a decision between John Hopkins University, Washington University and UGA. “We narrowed the search down to (three main prospects). We are most excited that UGA is going to be his home for school, not only because it’s local, but because the performance standards for the (cross country and track and field teams) are super high and it keeps us connected with Athens,” Susan said. Photo by Iliana Tejada
“(Daniel’s commitment to UGA is going) to continue to grow our brand. It’s right next door and it looks good,” Patterson said. “A lot of (runners) dream to go there, so to see one or their own go there athletically (is) cool. It’s setting (a) precedent.”
UGA currently ranks 19th in the nation’s public universities, with their cross country and track and field teams placed at 20th and 11th in the nation, respectively. According to JD’s mother, Susan Daniel, the intensity of competing at a highly-ranked program aligns with her son’s strengths.
“JD loves a challenge. Running always (has) another goal (or) achievement ahead, and that’s what keeps him so engaged,” Susan said. “Same with school. He likes to take the hardest classes, and he likes to keep (his) GPA (up). He just loves the grind.”
Clarke Central High School student-athletes attend a ceremony for CCHS varsity track and field and cross country runner James “JD” Daniel, a senior, in CCHS’ Billy Henderson Strength & Conditioning Center on Oct. 22. Daniel, who announced his decision to continue his athletic and academic career at the University of Georgia at the ceremony, ran varsity for both varsity sports all four of his years at CCHS. “Our team has a lot of potential, and (I’ll be) watching all my teammates as they progress. Even if I’m in college, I’m still (in Athens),” Daniel said. Photos by Iliana Tejada and Maypop Wren
Looking to CCHS’ upcoming track and field season, JD hopes not only to grow his own athletic skills, but also those of his teammates.
“(In the 2025-26 season), I’m looking to win state titles (and) I’m looking for some big (personal records). Now that I am committed to a college, I can focus on long term training,” JD said. “(The track team also has) a whole bunch of young guys this year, and I think our team can really be something special in these upcoming years. Even if I’m in college, I’m still (in Athens), so I’ll be watching over teammates as they progress.”
“At the end of the day you can’t beat UGA. (Going there) has always been a dream of mine.”
— James “JD” Daniel,
CCHS varsity track and field and cross country runner and senior
