Ed Latimer: Track and Field in His Blood

Amidst all the commotion of a high school track meet, few people outside the fence ever hear Ed Latimer’s voice. Shouting is a tool without a place in Latimer’s box. Though Latimer is well-known as an official who speaks softly, it is worth tuning your ear to hear his voice. The words he speaks are words borne out of 60 years invested in track and field. Better than half of those years have been invested in guiding promising young athletes through the rigors of the sport. 

For the past 28 years, Latimer has been the head coach of the Colorado Springs Striders track and field club in Colorado Springs, but most folks are most familiar with him through his more public role as a CHSAA track and field official. You have to try hard to find a large invitational meet in the city where Latimer is not working as one of the starters.

It’s been a long and winding road toward becoming one of the most-recognized officials in the state. Latimer’s high school years were spent in the Department of Defense school system in Europe. In 1968, he was the DODDS champion at 100 meters, 200 meters, and the triple jump. He went on from there to compete for four years at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M-Commerce). The next 21 years were spent in the Air Force, with several coaching gigs aligned with his duty assignments along the way.

By 1989, Latimer had arrived in Colorado Springs, his final duty station with the Air Force. He’s been a fixture in the Colorado track and field community ever since.

Latimer started coaching with the Joe Gentry Track Troupe that same year. It wasn’t long, however, before his already notable reputation as a coach was enhanced by the heading-grabbing exploits of his daughter Aleisha. Aleisha would establish national indoor records at 55 and 60 meters and would, for a time, hold the CHSAA all-classification 100-meter record at 11.37 before going on to compete at the University of Illinois. 
 
From what has been recounted thus far, it would be easy to conclude Latimer was a sprints-only kind of coach. But a lengthy stint from 1990 to 2013 as the head coach at Colorado Springs’ St. Mary’s High School exposes the error of that assessment. In 1998, Latimer’s boys set a new 3A record in the 4x800 meters at 7:57.52. St. Mary’s also claimed the top three 3A places in the 800 meters at the state meet that same spring. 

So, when Latimer settles the sprinters into their blocks with his familiar relaxed cadence, he draws from a robust collection of track and field experiences every time he does. Those athletes who take a moment to talk with Latimer often find that reservoir of experience unfolds as an open book.

Bobby Tillman, a cross country and track coach at Pueblo West High School observes, “From the little kids in a USATF meet to the all-star high schooler, Ed is a resource for the kids to learn from. And, he does that in a direct and caring way.”

Regarding his trademark demeanor, Latimer explains, “When I began as a starter my mentor impressed on me the necessity of providing the athletes with clear and precise commands in a calm voice. I want to help the athletes be relaxed and confident that they are going to get a fair start.”

Simply stated, Latimer excels in the areas of patience and calmness. Ask any athlete in the Colorado Springs area.

Although, it’s not just the athletes who appreciate Latimer’s presence on the track. If anything, the coaches appreciate Latimer even more than the athletes.

Al Melo, track coach and Athletic Director at Harrison High School speaks for a long list of coaches when he says, “Ed is an incredible official and an even better person. He is a true role model for athletic directors, coaches, and athletes. He always has something positive to say to athletes and coaches.”

Removing any doubt that assessment is embraced throughout the local coaching community, Doherty’s Rob Duensing adds, “I look to Ed as a role model husband, father, grandfather, coach, and official. He has five gold medals in those categories, respectively.”

The many years spent as a coach gave Latimer a unique advantage when he became a CHSAA official.

"I understand the nuances of the sport, the mindset of the athletes and their approaches to the sport," he explained. "It has helped me in my interactions with coaches and gives me some credibility among them, because I can speak to them from experience.”

No matter how well you know the rules of high school track and field, these are qualities that cannot be replicated, either through force of will or through sheer repetition. Latimer’s breadth of background in track and field equips him to be an exemplary official.

Coaches all around the state understand that. And while every coach in the state has a favorite local official they trust—and there are plenty of outstanding officials around the state to look toward—each of those coaches takes a long, easy breath when they see it’s Ed Latimer talking to their kid or giving the start commands. 

Latimer’s easy manner produces a calming effect on people, and it’s a wonderful thing to watch as it works its magic.