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Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson reached into its storied athletic past to fill its coveted girls’ track head coach position Thursday.
Dawn Spann, a former star sprinter for Boyd Anderson and eight-year Broward County Track and Field official, was tapped to succeed Damion and Duchane Thomas, a husband and wife coach tandem that led the program to its greatest run, culminating with its first state title in 2012.
“Being an alumni of the school, it’s definitely an honor to be considered and offered this job,” Spann said. “This is kind of breathtaking. To continue a strong tradition but put your imprint on it and pave the way for these young athletes in the community today. It’s a lot to take in, but it’s a good feeling.”
Spann acknowledges the high expectations that come with inheriting a program with five consecutive top-three finishes at the state finals, including state runner-up this past season.
During that span, Boyd Anderson has produced an assembly line of All-American sprinters, including Shayla Sanders, Kali Davis-White, a 2013 National Girls’ Track Athlete of the Year candidate, and two-time state champion hurdler Daeshon Gordon, who figures to own the national spotlight next season.
“The program lost two great coaches in the Thomases,” Spann said. “To follow in their footsteps will be an uphill climb but I believe in the resilience of the kids and the program.”
Spann, who lettered in track and basketball at FIU, brings coaching experience as an assistant with South Plantation and founder/coach of the Plantation Heat Track Club, which has made a name for itself on the AAU and Junior Olympics circuit.
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