TROJAN HORSES: Banneker track has championship-level talent

Banneker High School has never won a state title in any sport. But the boys track and field team aims to change that. Ranked No. 1 in the ga.milesplit.com Class AAAA power rankings, the Trojans looked poised to make history at the southwest Atlanta school.

"It would be great for our school and our community," said head coach Juval Winston. "Our athletes are pretty excited, but I tell them to stay humble and to let their talent speak for itself on the track."



One thing Winston doesn't have to worry about is talent. While many successful teams in a variety of sports throughout the state supplement their rosters with players who transferred into the district just in time for - or midway through - high school, Banneker's roster is full of kids from the same neighborhoods. And they come into high school their freshmen years ready to contribute to the track and field team.



"Most of our kids went to Banneker middle schools," said Winston. "We welcome them with open arms to our program, but we tell them 'if you plan on working, we plan on coaching you.'"



One freshman, Ryan Clark, has shown how Winston's philosophy can work. Clark recently placed third in sectionals in the 400-meter and seventh in the 200-meter sprints and is on the 4x400 relay team. Clark is already being recruited by Florida, UCLA, Florida State and Texas for college track.



One name many football recruiting fans around the state may be familiar with is Chaz Elder, a football star at Banneker and a South Carolina signee. Elder has been a mainstay on the Trojans' track squad and holds the school record in the 110-meter hurdles.



Winston, a football player himself in high school and college, can appreciate Elder's athleticism. Winston starred at Mays in track and football before accepting a scholarship to Tuskegee University in Alabama. He is currently the offensive coordinator of the Trojan football team, where he can scout talent for his track and field squad.



At the Georgia Olympics (the boys state track and field championships) in Jefferson in two weeks, Banneker will be the team to watch in Class AAAA. And the Trojans will add to the long list of great Georgia athletes with bright futures who have graced the Jefferson track in search of track and field glory.