The sun was glaring down on the track, making the rubber hotter. The starting runners were lined up with their hands on the track and their feet lined up on running blocks.
Their focus was on the race. Listening closely to the announcer, the runners heard “set” and got in ready position.
Next, they hear the gunshot.
“Bang”
The runners spring themselves forward, running with full force to win the four-by-two relay. The year is 1984.
At the completion of the race, Charlotte and her team had won state. For the next four years, she and her team would continue to advance and win state.
Charlotte Simmons, Frisco’s receptionist was recently added to the district’s Hall of Honor. The honorees will be inducted in January 2024. Charlotte and her track team will be inducted for their four consecutive state victories. They were coached by Dr. Rick Reedy.
When Charlotte learned she was part of the inaugural group to be inducted into the Hall of Honor she was overjoyed.
“I was excited,” Charlotte said. “Especially coming from Frisco High. I bled blue and gold. That’s my alma mater so it’s an honor.”
At the age of 15, freshman Charlotte was on varsity for track. Her events were long jump, triple jump, four-by-four relay and four-by-two relay. She also competed at state as a freshman.
“I was the youngest,” Charlotte said. “I went to state for events as a freshman. It was unreal, it really was. And very exciting to be there.”
All season she and the track team worked hard to be the best they could. They were led by Dr. Reedy who pushed them every practice. The work was hard, but she loved the sport so much that it was worth it.
“Dr. Reedy made sure we worked hard,” Charlotte said. “When you love something as much as we loved track, you don’t mind the hard workouts because it paid off.”
After attending state all four years of high school, her athletic journey didn’t end. Charlotte went on to then-East Texas State with a double scholarship to play basketball and track. She won many honors and medals.
“It’s A&M Commerce now,” Charlotte said “I got All-American, All MVP for basketball, and so I did long and triple jump to nationals in college.”
After all of her hard work and accomplishments, Charlotte decided to come back to her hometown where it all began. She wanted to continue building relationships and create new ones.
“I know a lot of the people,” Charlotte said. “Most of the people, at these schools. Teachers and coaches. I can’t imagine working at another school. I wouldn’t want to work at another school.”
