Finish line reached: Thomson’s Eric Reynolds overcomes injury to win state title

THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An ankle injury wasn’t going to stop Eric Reynolds from chasing his dreams of becoming a track and field state champion.

Back in September 2023, just weeks into his junior year, Reynolds played the final game of his high school football career.

“As I ed the opponent, he tugged on the back of me and horse collar tackled me,” said Reynolds. “I ended up twisting my ankle and it put me out for the rest of the season.”

Just a few months later in December, X-rays revealed it wasn’t just a twist, but a total left ankle fracture.

Reynolds would spend the next three months with a cast on his left foot, sidelined from the sport he loves even more than football.

“It made me miss my junior year of track which really brought me down a lot,” he said.

Ankle injuries aren’t easy to overcome for distance runners like Reynolds.

He spent nearly a full year rehabbing, even electing to not play football his senior year.

Instead, choosing to focus on his final season of track.

“When I did come back, I was able to come back physically and mentally, and I was able to ease my way back into the sport,” he said.

Reynolds didn’t just ease his way back onto the track, he conquered it.

He never finished below third-place in a single race during his senior year, even setting a new personal record during regionals.

After months of hard work and determination, Reynolds took home the GHSA 2A titles in the 100 meter and 200 meter races.

“I just wanted to get a chance to run again and it means a lot to me,” he said. “It almost feels unreal. All of these accomplishments that I’ve done over the span of a few weeks.”

Reynolds graduated from Thomson High School earlier in May, and he plans to attend college to compete even further in track and field.

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