2026 CSimmons

He Led Off to the Rabbit’s First State Championship

By Gordon Pynes

One of Atlanta’s best all around athletes topped off his outstanding years as a Rabbit in May of 1989. Carlos Simmons had helped score points in the 1989 State Track meet running third leg on the 4x100 relay and securing a 4th place in the 200 meter dash. He was not at all satisfied and took aim for a gold medal in the 4x400 relay as the meet’s final event began.

Carlos had been the lead off runner in each meet during the track season and in every race had secured a good lead for his team. He was determined to continue with his best performance in Texas Memorial Stadium. That he did, running his best time of the season as he gained a solid lead over the other seven teams in the race. Teammate Rod Rowe brought the baton home in first for the Rabbs giving Atlanta its first ever State Championship in any sport. With fast times on their legs of the race the Rabbit team posted a new 3A State meet record in the 4 x 400 with a time of 3:15.3. That performance still stands as the Atlanta school record some 37 years later.

Simmons had concluded his high school career with a swift run that earned a gold medal and put himself among the front runners in Atlanta sports history. He had been a star athlete competing in four sports: track, football, basketball and baseball. Despite breaking an ankle in freshman football he earned 10 Athletic letters for the Rabbits. As an outstanding baseball player in center field for the Rabbs he had drawn college attention and even interest from the Chicago White Sox. However, he decided to accept a scholarship to Ranger Junior College where he could run track and play baseball also.

At Ranger, Carlos proved outstanding in both sports being busy with baseball games during the week and track meets on Saturday. He made his mark in track earning Junior College (JC) All American with runs at the Texas Relays and the National JC meet. His versatility was well used as he ran on two relays and mostly in the 100 meter dash. His best sprint time came at the Texas Relays with a 100 meter time of 10.29 which was under the Olympic qualifying time. At the National JC meet Carlos sped to a 46 second split running the second leg for Ranger’s 4x400 relay team.

He decided to come closer to home and signed on to run track with Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia. There Carlos used his speed to be a key factor for the Muleriders team. I was at the SAU Conference meet in 1991 and got to see him anchor the Muleriders 4x400 quartet to a win. Later that season Simmons competed in the NAIA national championship meet for SAU as a key member of the 4x100 and 4x400 relays. The 4x400 ran to the runnerup spot while the 4x100 finished third. This performance brought Carlos All American recognition within the NAIA.

Simmons then decided he needed to move on from college and secure a job. Soon he went to work at Red River Arsenal and spent 15 years there as a heavy equipment operator. However, a long running passion to coach led him to pursue a degree in education again. Though it took several more years, Carlos gained the teaching degree and realized a long dream to coach. Since, he has coached in several high schools to include Liberty Eylau and Atlanta. He was able to achieve a special dream by coaching his daughter who also ran on relays. She followed in Dad’s footsteps earning gold medals at State and also experienced a team state championship. She is also in the Lady Rabbs record books as a member of two relays.

In the mid 90’s Carlos was honored as the athlete with Atlanta School Board members as they broke ground for Rabbit Stadium and the track. He took great pleasure in knowing his role in bringing the stadium into reality. Carlos now is most deserving to take his place in the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026.