Curtis Ryals Sr. is remembered as the single most prolific track and field athlete in Montgomery County High School history. He is also remembered as a great man of character that valued his family, his community, and a strong work ethic. At the 1972 GHSA State Track Meet, Curtis Ryals scored 28.25 points and was the high point scorer for the meet. He was crowned state champion in the 100 and 220 yard dashes, finished 4th in the triple jump, and was the anchor leg for the mile relay team which placed 4th and for the state runner up 440 yard relay team. Curtis was also named the Class B All State running back in 1971. Those that remember Curtis' life know that he was a family man that valued education and touched the lives of everyone that he came in contact with. The late Coach Mayes Dobbins once stated that "Ryals is the fastest human being that I've ever seen with my own eyes. He amazes me every time he laces his shoes up."
The Curtis Ryals award was started in 2015. The award names the Most Outstanding Track & Field Athlete (Male or Female), but the character of the individual is strongly considered in the selection process.
The Curtis Ryals award was started in 2015. The award names the Most Outstanding Track & Field Athlete (Male or Female), but the character of the individual is strongly considered in the selection process.
Curtis Ryals Award Recepients
2015: Malik Linder
Linder won the 100 meter dash at the Class A Area 2 public schools championship. He was also the anchor leg for the Area Champion 4x100 meter relay team. At the 2015 GHSA State Track & Field meet, Malik was named the state runner up in the 100 meter dash, placed 4th in the 200 meter dash, and ran the anchor leg for the 4x100 meter relay team that placed 5th. Malik scored a total of 14 points for the Eagles team that placed 4th overall. Malik's teachers, coaches, and team mates all have fond statements about Malik as a human being. He is known as a hard worker on the football field, in the gym, and on the track. His teachers praise his manners and effort in the classroom and his team mates regard Malik as a dependable friend. Malik went on to become a state champion in the long jump and 4x100 meter relay at the 2016 Georgia Olympics. Malik was invited to compete at the 2015 Meet of Champions where he placed 5th among competitors from all classifications. At the 2016 state track meet, Malik's winning jump of 23-1.25 broke a school record set in the 1980s. Malik is continuing his education and athletic career at Brewton Parker College, where he accepted a scholarship to compete as a long jumper. Malik holds the indoor long jump record at BPC.
2016: Gamal Lawton
Lawton won the 800 meter run and 1600 meter run at the Class A Area 2 public schools championship meet. He also placed 2nd in the pole vault and was a member of the 2nd place 4x400 relay team. At the 2016 state meet, Gamal placed 5th in the 1600 and 4th in the 800 meter run. He also ran on the state runner up 4x400 relay team. Gamal scored 13 of the Eagles 60 points at the 2016 Georgia Olympics. Gamal will be attending Brewton Parker College and competing as a collegiate wrestler. Gamal has been a vital key to the success that the Eagles track team has experienced over the last 3 years. Everyone that knows Gamal, knows that he is deserving of the Curtis Ryals Award. Gamal is a great athlete, but his athletic ability is minute compared to the type of character that Gamal displays everyday. Gamal works as hard as anyone that has ever worn the Eagle track uniform. The legacy that Curtis Ryals has left behind will continue to live on through a great person, Gamal Lawton.
2017: Keenan Hollis
Hollis is a 2 time state runner up as a part of the 4x400 meter relay team. He ran the lead leg for the 4x4 team that set the school record (3:27.13) at the 2017 state track meet. Keenan also placed at state as the lead leg of the 17' 4x100 meter relay team and picked up an 8th place finish in the 400 meter dash. As a 2 year letterman, Keenan has made major contributions to the program both in terms of athletic successes, but also as a team leader that displayed an incredible work ethic and character. There was not a team mate that ever questioned Keenan's work ethic at practice as he rarely said a word while he went above and beyond the normal expectations of practice. The mannerism that Keenan carries himself with shows that his parents have instilled a great sense of respect for others as he is always making those around him better just by his presence. Keenan is a true Eagle as he earned varsity letters in football - 4 years, basketball - 4 years, and track - 2 years. Keenan is the perfect candidate to carry on the legacy left by the late Curtis Ryals.
2018: Clayton Harvey
Clayton is a three time state champion in track and field. As a sophomore Clayton won gold in the 4x100 meter relay and the 400 meter dash. In his senior season, Clayton claimed the top spot in the 200 meter dash. He visited the medal podium an astonishing 13 times in his career as an Eagle. Clayton swept the 400 meter dash at the Area 2 championship all four years and picked up area titles in the 200, 4x1, 4x4, and long jump in his time as well. Clayton has an unmatched work ethic and is one of the most respectful young men that you can come in contact with. Clayton did a lot of winning in his time as an Eagle, but his true character was always displayed when he was upset by another competitor. Clayton never hung his head. He always knew that he gave his best effort and would be the first to congratulate anyone good enough to out lean him at the finish line. Clayton is a hard worker in every aspect of being a student athlete. There was never a doubt if he was going to give his all on the track, football field, basketball court, or classroom. Clayton embodies the traits that we look for in the recepient of the Curtis Ryals Award. A heck of an athlete, but an even better person. Clayton is currently attending ASA Miami Junior College where he is a member of the football and track teams.
2019: Randy Shoemake Jr.
Randy was a 4 year letterman in track and field and was an important cog in 4 consecutive Area Championships while he competed. Randy competed in a wide array of events throughout his high school track career. Randy began as a hurdler, relay participant, and pole vaulter in 9th grade, but soon transitioned into anchoring the short sprints for the Eagles for 3 seasons. Shoemake qualified for the state track meet all 4 years in the pole vault and in both relays. Randy was able to climb the medal podium multiple times at the GHSA state meet throughout his career. Shoemake was as dedicated to track as any Eagle that has dawned the uniform. He was always able to be counted on to be at practice putting forth his absolute best effort. The determination that Shoemake gave to overcome a pair of serious injuries during his track career is what earned him the honor of being selected the 2019 Curtis Ryals award recepient.
Linder won the 100 meter dash at the Class A Area 2 public schools championship. He was also the anchor leg for the Area Champion 4x100 meter relay team. At the 2015 GHSA State Track & Field meet, Malik was named the state runner up in the 100 meter dash, placed 4th in the 200 meter dash, and ran the anchor leg for the 4x100 meter relay team that placed 5th. Malik scored a total of 14 points for the Eagles team that placed 4th overall. Malik's teachers, coaches, and team mates all have fond statements about Malik as a human being. He is known as a hard worker on the football field, in the gym, and on the track. His teachers praise his manners and effort in the classroom and his team mates regard Malik as a dependable friend. Malik went on to become a state champion in the long jump and 4x100 meter relay at the 2016 Georgia Olympics. Malik was invited to compete at the 2015 Meet of Champions where he placed 5th among competitors from all classifications. At the 2016 state track meet, Malik's winning jump of 23-1.25 broke a school record set in the 1980s. Malik is continuing his education and athletic career at Brewton Parker College, where he accepted a scholarship to compete as a long jumper. Malik holds the indoor long jump record at BPC.
2016: Gamal Lawton
Lawton won the 800 meter run and 1600 meter run at the Class A Area 2 public schools championship meet. He also placed 2nd in the pole vault and was a member of the 2nd place 4x400 relay team. At the 2016 state meet, Gamal placed 5th in the 1600 and 4th in the 800 meter run. He also ran on the state runner up 4x400 relay team. Gamal scored 13 of the Eagles 60 points at the 2016 Georgia Olympics. Gamal will be attending Brewton Parker College and competing as a collegiate wrestler. Gamal has been a vital key to the success that the Eagles track team has experienced over the last 3 years. Everyone that knows Gamal, knows that he is deserving of the Curtis Ryals Award. Gamal is a great athlete, but his athletic ability is minute compared to the type of character that Gamal displays everyday. Gamal works as hard as anyone that has ever worn the Eagle track uniform. The legacy that Curtis Ryals has left behind will continue to live on through a great person, Gamal Lawton.
2017: Keenan Hollis
Hollis is a 2 time state runner up as a part of the 4x400 meter relay team. He ran the lead leg for the 4x4 team that set the school record (3:27.13) at the 2017 state track meet. Keenan also placed at state as the lead leg of the 17' 4x100 meter relay team and picked up an 8th place finish in the 400 meter dash. As a 2 year letterman, Keenan has made major contributions to the program both in terms of athletic successes, but also as a team leader that displayed an incredible work ethic and character. There was not a team mate that ever questioned Keenan's work ethic at practice as he rarely said a word while he went above and beyond the normal expectations of practice. The mannerism that Keenan carries himself with shows that his parents have instilled a great sense of respect for others as he is always making those around him better just by his presence. Keenan is a true Eagle as he earned varsity letters in football - 4 years, basketball - 4 years, and track - 2 years. Keenan is the perfect candidate to carry on the legacy left by the late Curtis Ryals.
2018: Clayton Harvey
Clayton is a three time state champion in track and field. As a sophomore Clayton won gold in the 4x100 meter relay and the 400 meter dash. In his senior season, Clayton claimed the top spot in the 200 meter dash. He visited the medal podium an astonishing 13 times in his career as an Eagle. Clayton swept the 400 meter dash at the Area 2 championship all four years and picked up area titles in the 200, 4x1, 4x4, and long jump in his time as well. Clayton has an unmatched work ethic and is one of the most respectful young men that you can come in contact with. Clayton did a lot of winning in his time as an Eagle, but his true character was always displayed when he was upset by another competitor. Clayton never hung his head. He always knew that he gave his best effort and would be the first to congratulate anyone good enough to out lean him at the finish line. Clayton is a hard worker in every aspect of being a student athlete. There was never a doubt if he was going to give his all on the track, football field, basketball court, or classroom. Clayton embodies the traits that we look for in the recepient of the Curtis Ryals Award. A heck of an athlete, but an even better person. Clayton is currently attending ASA Miami Junior College where he is a member of the football and track teams.
2019: Randy Shoemake Jr.
Randy was a 4 year letterman in track and field and was an important cog in 4 consecutive Area Championships while he competed. Randy competed in a wide array of events throughout his high school track career. Randy began as a hurdler, relay participant, and pole vaulter in 9th grade, but soon transitioned into anchoring the short sprints for the Eagles for 3 seasons. Shoemake qualified for the state track meet all 4 years in the pole vault and in both relays. Randy was able to climb the medal podium multiple times at the GHSA state meet throughout his career. Shoemake was as dedicated to track as any Eagle that has dawned the uniform. He was always able to be counted on to be at practice putting forth his absolute best effort. The determination that Shoemake gave to overcome a pair of serious injuries during his track career is what earned him the honor of being selected the 2019 Curtis Ryals award recepient.