Building Athletes
From The Ground Up
A youth development program in Canton, Georgia — welcoming athletes of every experience level since 2012.
Every Athlete Belongs.
Every Athlete Can Grow.
Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country is a youth development program where athletes of every experience level are welcomed, encouraged, and challenged to become their best.
Building Athletes
From The Ground Up
Founded in 2012 and based in Canton, Georgia, Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country serves elementary, middle-school, and select high-school athletes throughout Cherokee County and the surrounding communities.
Our program teaches the fundamentals of track and field, distance running, and cross country in a positive team environment. Athletes receive age-appropriate instruction designed to improve their technique, strength, endurance, speed, confidence, and understanding of their events.
We believe success looks different for every athlete. It may mean completing a first race, learning a new event, setting a personal record, qualifying for a championship, or standing on a national podium. Wherever an athlete begins, our coaches help them identify their next goal and work toward it.
A Program For Every Skill Level
No previous experience is required to become a Warrior.
Beginners
Receive the instruction and encouragement they need to build a strong foundation.
Developing Athletes
Learn how to train consistently, compete confidently, and continue improving.
Championship Athletes
Receive advanced coaching and competitive opportunities designed to help them reach the next level.
Every athlete should feel welcome, valued, and supported. We work to create a team culture where young people can learn, compete, make mistakes, celebrate progress, and discover what they are capable of accomplishing.
We do not expect every athlete to begin in the same place. We simply ask each athlete to arrive ready to learn, work hard, support their teammates, and pursue their personal best.
More Than Medals
We compete hard and have developed numerous champions in our program, but our purpose extends far beyond race results.
Track and cross country teach young athletes how to set goals, manage adversity, remain disciplined, encourage others, and keep working when improvement takes time. These lessons build confidence and character that athletes can carry into school, relationships, future sports, and everyday life.
We want our athletes to become faster, stronger, and more skilled. We also want them to become dependable teammates, confident leaders, and resilient young people. Our goal is to develop the whole athlete, and help them have fun during the process.
Developing Champions
Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country is an inclusive developmental program, but we are also committed to helping high-performing athletes achieve elite goals.
These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our athletes, families, and coaches. More importantly, they demonstrate what young athletes can accomplish when they receive strong instruction, consistent encouragement, and opportunities to compete at increasingly challenging levels.
Whether an athlete is preparing for a first meet or pursuing a state or national title, we provide a pathway for continued development.
Year-Round Opportunities
Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country offers training and competition opportunities throughout the year. Athletes may participate seasonally or continue training throughout the year based on their interests, age, experience, and competitive goals.
Spring Track & Field
Summer Post-Season Competition
Fall Cross Country
Winter Training
USATF Member Club
As a USATF member club, we participate in developmental and competitive meets with youth track programs, middle-school teams, and other running clubs. These USATF opportunities allow athletes to test their skills, gain valuable experience, and compete against runners from across the region and beyond.
Meet The Coaches
Our coaches are committed to helping every athlete grow in skill, confidence, and character. With experience across running, jumping, throwing, and conditioning events, the Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country coaching team provides instruction for athletes at every stage of development.
Camille Driscoll
USATF Level 2 Certified Coach
Running has been a lifelong passion that has helped shape who I am. I started running at age 11 and haven't looked back. Competing at Walton High School and running collegiately deepened my love for the sport and my desire to help others develop a lifelong love for running.
As a wife, mother of five, and grandmother of five, I have been incredibly blessed. I've spent years chasing my children through every stage of life, and whenever I could, running alongside them. Those experiences have taught me that running is about so much more than competition—it's about building relationships, creating memories, and growing together.
I am a USATF Level 2 Certified Coach and the founder and head coach of Cherokee Youth Track Club. Since 2012, I've had the privilege of coaching more than 1,500 youth athletes, from first-time runners to athletes competing at the national level. Each season I am reminded that every runner has a unique story and a different reason for showing up.
My hope is that every athlete leaves with greater confidence, stronger character, and an appreciation for what they can become when they give their best. Winning races is rewarding, but helping athletes develop the tools to run the race of life is what brings me joy and inspires me most as a coach.
Assistant Coaches
Ginny Starr
USATF Level 2 Coach
Tyler Worsham
Sprints & Hurdles Coach
Kurt Wachtman
High Jump Coach
Mike Dietzel
Javelin Coach
Marla Stromberg
Core Coach
Mason Starr
Student Coach, Middle Distance
Every Accomplished Athlete Was Once a Beginner.
Whether your child wants to try a new sport, improve for another activity, join a supportive team, prepare for school competition, or pursue elite success — Cherokee Youth Track & Cross Country provides a place to begin and a pathway to keep growing. All skill levels welcome. No previous experience required.