Varsity Track & Field
1 Cor. 9:24-25 says “Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” We attempt to use the sport of track and field to teach our young men and women how to run the race of the Christian life, including lessons of perseverance, discipline, and how to handle joy and disappointment. Our Girls and Boys track teams have combined to win 4 District titles in the last 6 years, including 6 State titles in hurdles and one in Triple Jump.
NEWS
CALENDAR
March 2025
Mar 28
- 1:00 pm
- TCA Meet Track – Ladies and Men’s Varsity – Away
- 1:00 pm
- TCA Meet Track – Ladies and Men’s Varsity – Away
April 2025
Apr 3
- 2:00 pm
- Brook Hill Invitational Track – Ladies and Men’s Varsity – TBD
Norm Thompson
Science & Head Track and Field Coach
Norm Thompson
Science & Head Track and Field Coach
B.S., Stephen F. Austin State University
Norman has worked as a high school teacher and coach since 1981 at Grace, Seagoville, Crandall, DeSoto, and Lufkin. He has been with GCS since 2010 as a physics teacher, track and football coach. He currently is the Head Girl’s and Boy’s Track coach for Grace and assistant in football. Norman received his bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin. He and his wife, Mary Ann, also a Stephen F. Austin graduate, have three children and three grandchildren. Their daughter Leigh Ann and her husband Michael Hyde are Texas A&M graduates and are the parents of Nathan. Their daughter Kellie and her husband Daniel are East Texas Baptist graduates and are the parents of Annabelle and Emma. Their son James is a graduate of Texas A&M and lives in Seattle. Norman likes to build things and go on mountain hikes in the summer. He has been on many mission trips, both nationally and internationally. Norman and Mary Ann are both active at First Baptist Church in Lindale.
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
Kendall Fox
Assistant Principal 5th & 6th and Grace University
B.S., University of Texas, Tyler
Kendall has worked in the middle school since 2010 at Grace Community School and serves as the Assistant Principal 5th & 6th Grade and Grace University. He has taught sixth-grade P.E. and coached high school baseball and football during his time at the school. Kendall has received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He is happily married to Emily Fox and they both work with the student ministry at Grace Community Church.
Jessica Hicks
Academic Success Center & Cross Country Coach
Jessica Hicks
Academic Success Center & Cross Country Coach
B.A., Cedarville University
Jessica has been a part of the upper campus Academic Success Center since 2021. She received her bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University in Ohio. Jessica has previous teaching experience which includes years teaching second and third grade, as well as homeschooling her four children for 13 years. Her oldest son, Payton, graduated from high school, and her other three children, Colby, Caleb, and Olivia attend Grace Community School. Jessica and her husband, Steve, attend Grace Community Church, Old Jacksonville Campus along with their children. She loves to travel, camp, hike, run, and just enjoys the great outdoors.
John Keeling
History, Economic, Government, Cross Country & Track and Field Coach
John Keeling
History, Economic, Government, Cross Country & Track and Field Coach
B.S., Texas A&M University
John has worked as a high school teacher from 1996 to 2000 in the Houston public school system and in the local public school system from 2000 to 2012. He has been at Grace since 2012 coaching speech and debate, and teaching Modern World History, US History, US Government, and Economics. He received his B.S. in Political Science from Texas A&M University. John and his wife, Bonita (Bo), have two daughters at Grace, Ela and Madeline. John and his family are members of First Baptist Church Tyler (South Campus) where John teaches an adult Sunday school class and Bo works with the eighth and ninth grade girls. John is a self-described nerd who loves all things political, science fiction, the 80’s, and Star Wars, He also loves running and hiking with his family.
Andrew Plentl
Speed & Strength, Track and Field Coach
Andrew Plentl
Speed & Strength, Track and Field Coach
I am entering my 2nd year at Grace as the Head Speed and Strength Coach. I am currently the Head Varsity Cross Country Coach and Assistant Track Coach for MS and HS. I come to Grace after almost a decade of experience coaching at the Division 1 level and leading multiple athletes to national championships and All-American honors. I have a passion for solving puzzles and creating connections. My wife, Randi, and I have a 6 year old son, Dean, and 4 year old daughter, Dani. I am excited to help lead future generations towards Jesus and help the community at Grace grow closer to Him! Go Cougs!
Alison Radcliffe
Science
Alison Radcliffe
Science
B.S., Drake University
Alison graduated from Drake University with an All Science Secondary Education degree. She attends Grace Community Church on Old Jacksonville with her husband, Ric, who also teaches at GCS. She has taught and coached at the middle school level since 2013.
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
Ric Radcliffe
History, Football & Track and Field Coach
B.A., Wheaton College
Ric has been teaching history at the high school level since 2012, and has been with Grace Community School since 2015. He received his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and History/Social Sciences with an endorsement in Math from Wheaton College, where he also had the privilege to play college football. He has been married to Mrs. Radcliffe since the summer of 2013. She, too, is currently working at Grace Community School in the middle school as the eighth grade math teacher. Ric also serves as a football coach on both the varsity and junior varsity levels, as well as one of the high school track and field coaches.
Middle School Track & Field
1 Cor. 9:24-25 says “Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” We attempt to use the sport of track and field to teach our young men and women how to run the race of the Christian life, including lessons of perseverance, discipline, and how to handle joy and disappointment. Our Girls and Boys track teams have combined to win 4 District titles in the last 6 years, including 6 State titles in hurdles and one in Triple Jump.
NEWS
CALENDAR
No events found.
Tracy Holcomb
Bible, Basketball, Cross Country, & Track and Field Coach
Tracy Holcomb
Bible, Basketball, Cross Country, & Track and Field Coach
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Tracy has worked as a middle school and high school teacher since 2007 at Santa Fe Middle School, Bay Area Christian School, and Grace Community School since 2014. He has taught 8th grade US history, been an assistant coach for boys varsity basketball, and has coached cross country and track. Tracy received his bachelor’s degree from Wayland Baptist University and his master’s degree in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tracy and his wife, Debra, have two children. His son, Joshua, is a graduate of Boyce College in Louisville, KY, and lives and works there. Hannah, his daughter, is a 2017 graduate of Grace and currently lives in Louisville, KY, with her husband, Dominic D’Ettorre, and they actively serve their local church. Tracy also serves as the bi-vocational Pastor at Westwood Baptist Church in Tyler, TX.
Brad Shaw
Track & Field Coach
Brad Shaw
Track & Field Coach