Phase I of Fundraising Complete!

When we set out in November to raise $40,000 for the necessary hurdle, high jump and pole vault equipment, we knew that this would be an achievable, if ambitious, goal. In true ORXC and T&F fashion, not only did we reach our mark sooner than projected, we exceeded the funding necessary to complete Phase I of fundraising.

Your generous donations quickly got the ball rolling, fully funding the hurdles and putting us well on our way towards the new high jump pit. Then, a generous donation from a Class of ‘89 alumnus put us over the top. We are excited to announce that as of last week, all new Fundraising Phase I equipment has been purchased and is ready for practice beginning in the 2023 Indoor Track season!

Click here for a recap of what this includes.

The speed at which we’ve reached our Phase I goal not only speaks to the program’s enduring legacy which Coach Mac began decades ago, and which carried on through Coach Etheridge’s tradition of winning. It also underscores the generosity of our alumni, parents, and community supporters. As we build and compete in our new facility, we will be perennially reminded of everyone who has helped this plan become reality. 

We now begin April in great standing; with the old track removed, drains dug and Phase I equipment ordered. On deck: running a conduit for the new timing system, building the runways for jumps and installing new lights.

We also begin Phase II of fundraising, purchasing the essentials needed to protect, transport and utilize our new equipment. This includes hurdle carts, jump pit platforms and covers, a shot put return system and starting blocks.

Read our Phase II plan here. 

Images from the 2022 Farragut Invitational by Barry Houchin, Becky Hughes and Luther Simmons


As with any great team, our success is thanks to every single individual’s cumulative contribution. It took each one of your donations to get here, and we are so grateful for your help. As a thank you, we would like to feature you on our Donor Celebration page, which will showcase our team’s history of success both on and off the track.

Each profile will include

  • Your favorite ORXC or ORT&F photo(s) from competitions, celebrations, team awards, or whatever you would like.

  • A description - as brief or detailed as you would like - of what this team means to you, what part it played in your or your athlete’s high school experience, and your favorite team memory.

  • Your or your family’s name, your donation amount and your or your athlete’s graduating year. If you would like your name or any of the above information to remain anonymous, please indicate so in the questionnaire.

Please fill out this brief questionnaire linked here, so that we can begin to feature you on our website and social media. Thank you so much not only for your donation, but for your time and support as well!


If you have already donated, then you are playing a huge part in ensuring that our athletes are safe and afforded an opportunity to compete on home turf amidst the cheers of our community. Forwarding this email to fellow ORHS T&F supporters, sharing our donation link and spreading the word on social media are all exceptionally helpful ways to continue your support, which we greatly appreciate. We hope to see you soon in our brand new facility!

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Making New Traditions & Celebrating Our History

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Over the First Hurdle!