MOBILE, Alabama - Daphne and a number of Baldwin schools are taking part in the “Racing for Angelo” cross country meet to benefit former McGill-Toolen star athlete and coach Angelo Harris on Saturday at Walters Park in West Mobile located just past the Coast Guard Base on Tanner Williams Road near Faith Academy. Baker High is the host team.

Harris, for whom the track and field complex at McGill-Toolen is named, is battling lymphoma. All proceeds from the event will be donated to him to help offset any medical expenses.

“Coach Harris has meant so much to the sport of track and field and cross country and done so much for so many kids,” Daphne coach Joe Hutchins said. “Not just at McGill, but all over. We plan to be there and show our support and all our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

Harris retired from McGill-Toolen but has stayed active in the sport in part as a volunteer assistant coach at Spring Hill College since 2009. He will be inducted into the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame class of 2012.

A Yellow Jacket alumnus, Harris was a member of the 1963 McGill Institute State Champion Cross Country Team. He later ran for the Crimson Tide at the University of Alabama and was selected to the All-South-Eastern-Conference Cross Country Team three times, set and held UA records for seven events and set an SEC 2-mile record in 1968.

As a coach at Mc-T he led his Jacket teams to 13 State Championships and 16 State-Runner-Up finishes. He was inducted into the McGill-Toolen High School Hall of Fame in 1980.

Races start with middle school boys/girls 2-miles 8:30 a.m. JV races start at 9 a.m. and the first varsity 5K starts with the girls at 10 a.m. and the boys follow at 10:30 a.m.

Parking: Park in the church parking lot next to Faith Academy and walk across the street to the park. Shuttle service from the parking lot to the park will also be provided. Parking inside the park is reserved for coaches and those needing special assistance.

Optional donations can also be made. For more information visit: http://al.milesplit.com/meets/123521-racing-for-angelo-cross-country-meet