By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
Former Forrest City athlete Eric Walker has returned to his roots.
Walker, who has been living and coaching in Georgia for the past several years, has come back to Forrest City to help get area youths "back on track" so to speak.
Walker has organized and is the coach of the Mid-South Heat Track Club, based in Forrest City.
The team has already started showing positive results.
At the recently held Arkansas AAU State Meet in Vilonia, six of his 10 team members achieved state champion status and have qualified for the AAU Regionals, to be held later this month at Fayetteville.
Those track members earning state champion status include Jimmy Bean, who was first in the race-walk, second in the discus and shot put and third in the javelin; Salena Boyd, first in the race-walk, second in the discus and third in the shot; Richard Flenoy, first in the shot put, third in the discus and fourth in the javelin throw; LeJoy Walker, first in the 400-meter run, third in the 200-meter run and fourth in the 100-meter low hurdles; Rashanee Wilburn, first in the race-walk and third in the 100-meter run and Timothy "T.J." Walker, first in the race-walk, discus, shot put and javelin.
Larry Bean, Rashad Green, Kenneth Jordan and Eric Walker comprised the 4x100 meter relay team and finished third at the state meet.
Larry Bean was second in the high jump while Tytenana Bunch was sixth in the long jump and seventh in the 100-meter run.
Green was sixth in the long jump while Eric Walker was second in the 400-meter run, fourth in the 200-meter run and fourth in the long jump. Jordan also placed sixth in the 100-meter run and seventh in the 200-meter run.
All total, the Mid South Heat team brought home nine Gold Medals, 11 Silver Medals and six Bronze Medals.
LeJoy, T.J. and Eric, Jr., belong to Walker, who serves as both father and coach.
Eric Jr. and LeJoy helped anchor the Forrest City Junior Mustang track teams this past season while little brother, T.J., is just beginning to show interest in the sport.
Walker's list of coaching accomplishments in Georgia reads like a "who's who."
He coached the Georgia Striders Track Club and was the assistant coach of the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta and worked with the Olympic development program. During that time, these programs produced 10 state champions, 10 regional champions, four regional record holders and had 19 athletes qualify for nationals.
Walker was founder and CEO of the Georgia Striders Track Club in Stone Mountain, Ga., and was head coach of the Georgia Golden Wings Track Club, which produced 12 state champions, 11 regional champions, two record holders and qualified 27 athletes for nationals.
Walker's teams have won several national championships in the AAU and the USA Track and Field Association.
His goals remain the same for the Forrest City youth.
"I want to provide a solid track and field feeder program for the high schools as well as teach these young athletes the right way to become champions," Walker said.
It is a chore and a lot of hard work. And it's not cheap.
Walker is currently accepting donations for the upcoming trip to regionals.
"We have to house the kids while at the competition and provide meals and that all takes money," Walker said. "Any donations to the Mid South Heat Track Club would be apprciated."
The Heat practices Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays at Forrest City High School.
Students interested in joining the Club can call (870) 633-6951.
Anyone wishing to make a donation to help sponsor the upcoming trip to regionals can do so by calling Walker at the above telephone number.