Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Derrick Mahone Eagle’s Landing senior India Millings is looking to have a breakout season as she leads the Golden Eagles.

Eagle’s Landing coach Claud Spinks is looking long term about this season’s team.

After his top runner from the boys and girls teams moved, Spinks has been trying to build this year’s team in stages.

The team had a couple early season meets, while the last three weeks have been reserved for training. Eagle’s Landing will face its next competition when it competes in the Coach Benson Double Dip Invitational hosted by Marist on Sept. 15.

“We have been able to get in some good training,” Spinks said. “Our main thing has been to build some confidence in the runners.”

Gone from last year’s boys team that finished No. 10 in Class AAA is state champion Bailey Roth, whose family moved earlier this summer. The girls team finished No. 8 last season, which was led by Gabby Roth.

With the departure of the Roths, new runners are being asked to step up and take the lead.

Spinks is confident that junior Brian Cato is ready to lead this season’s team.

“Brian is running real well,” Spinks said. “As a team, we talk about getting better each week. We are looking long term with this team as we prepare for the region and state meets.”

Cato says he is ready for the challenge of being the team’s top runner.

“I have a big role to fill with this team,” he said. “We have a whole new generation of runners. I’m ready to step up and make a big mark. As a team, I think we are getting it together.”

Following the meet at Marist, Eagle’s Landing will host one of the biggest meets in the Southeast on Sept. 22. The Battle of Atlanta on Sept. 22 at Nash Farms will draw some of the top teams in the state and Southeast.

“That will be a big test for the team to see how well we are progressing,” Spinks said.

Senior India Milling is having a breakout season as she leads the Lady Golden Eagles. Last season, she finished 22nd in the state meet as the team’s second top runner.

“It has been going good so far for me and the team,” she said. “I think everybody has seen themselves get a little faster. For me, I did a lot more running this summer, and I think it will have a big benefit for me.”

Spinks agrees.

“India is a real hard worker,” he said. “The type of training we do doesn’t allow for fast times early in the season, but she is ahead of where she was last year. She has been a great team leader.”