Leticia R. Beverly [Coach L]

As the Founder/Head Coach of East Cobb Cheetahs Track Club, Coach L is beginning her 15th season. She has been involved with track & field for 40+ years. As a graduate from the University of Illinois, where she trained under the tutelage of Gary Winckler, she became a 6-time NCAA All-American, 18-time Big Ten Champion, and 4-time All-Conference Big Ten Team member. Coach L is currently the AAU Sports Director of Georgia for Track & Field and Certified AAU Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach. She's also a USATF Level 2 Certified Coach, USATF Certified Official, USATF Master's All-American, In 2014, she was inducted into the Newark Hall of Fame, in her home town of Newark, NJ, then again along with the entire Central Girls Track team in 2024.
When it comes to specialties, Coach L runs the gamut. Her college accomplishments are in the hurdles, long jump, triple jump, heptathlon, and relays. She primarily coaches sprints, hurdles, and high jump. In the last 15 years, she has had hundreds of athletes qualify for the AAU Junior Olympics. She continues to use her knowledge and expertise to help her athletes reach their potential. As a GHSA Community Coach for Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA, she has help the Wheeler Girls Track Team become Region Champions in 2011 and 2014. She has helped 28 athletes obtain collegiate scholarships at school like Kennesaw State University, Columbia University, Appalachian State, and Vanderbilt just to name a few.
When it comes to specialties, Coach L runs the gamut. Her college accomplishments are in the hurdles, long jump, triple jump, heptathlon, and relays. She primarily coaches sprints, hurdles, and high jump. In the last 15 years, she has had hundreds of athletes qualify for the AAU Junior Olympics. She continues to use her knowledge and expertise to help her athletes reach their potential. As a GHSA Community Coach for Wheeler High School in Marietta, GA, she has help the Wheeler Girls Track Team become Region Champions in 2011 and 2014. She has helped 28 athletes obtain collegiate scholarships at school like Kennesaw State University, Columbia University, Appalachian State, and Vanderbilt just to name a few.

Yolande Palmer [Coach Yo]
Coach Yo has been the ECCTC throws coach for 10 years. As an USATF Certified I Throws Coach, she has coaches several male and female throwers to All-America and AAU Junior Olympian status, ranging in age from 7 to 17. She graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Biochemistry and has 27+ years in the military, both active & reserve. Coach Yo really enjoys helping athletes reach their throwing potential. She used creative ways to help the younger athletes understand the fundamentals.
Coach Yo has been the ECCTC throws coach for 10 years. As an USATF Certified I Throws Coach, she has coaches several male and female throwers to All-America and AAU Junior Olympian status, ranging in age from 7 to 17. She graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Biochemistry and has 27+ years in the military, both active & reserve. Coach Yo really enjoys helping athletes reach their throwing potential. She used creative ways to help the younger athletes understand the fundamentals.

Ben Watson [Coach Ben]
Coach Watson been the ECCTC family for 5 years. He specializes in sprints and relays. Originally from Orangeburg, SC, he once held the 400M record for his high school with a time of 48.7. Along with being a part of ECCTC, Coach Watson also volunteers his time as a basketball coach in Smyrna. Coach Watson is a graduate from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering.
Coach Watson been the ECCTC family for 5 years. He specializes in sprints and relays. Originally from Orangeburg, SC, he once held the 400M record for his high school with a time of 48.7. Along with being a part of ECCTC, Coach Watson also volunteers his time as a basketball coach in Smyrna. Coach Watson is a graduate from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Johnta Lavell Griffin [Coach J]
Coach J, our newest member to the coaching, was born in Orlando, FL to Francine Griffin and Donald Hill (raised by Janice Alexander). After graduating from Oak Ridge High School cumma laude, he was inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022 for basketball and track field. Ranked amongst the top 10 triple jumpers in the nation in 2002. He accepted a track and field scholarship with Florida A&M University, during his time there received Scholastic Athlete of the year in 2004, MEAC Championships in 2003 and 2004, and All-Conference team (Triple Jump). In 2004 he transferred to The Florida State University, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in Finance, he was able to sketch his name in the athletic record books become ACC All-Conference performer both indoor and outdoor in long jump & triple jump, 3rd place finish at the NCAA East Region Championship, and was apart of the 2006 NCAA Outdoor National Championship team (first national championship title in school history). After graduation pursued a professional career in track and field running for Shore AC Track Club. Despite rigorous schedule created from the professional career path, Johnta devoted time to help improve reading literacy for elementary students and helped social/educational development of special needs students (working as one on one aide for students with autism). He is a published author book entitled “Gazing in Truth”. In 2017 he married the love of his life Nicole Dixon Griffin. Johnta, Nicole, and their sons Johnathan and Jaylen reside in Smyrna, GA. He currently works at Home Depot in the Information Technology sector.
Coach J, our newest member to the coaching, was born in Orlando, FL to Francine Griffin and Donald Hill (raised by Janice Alexander). After graduating from Oak Ridge High School cumma laude, he was inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022 for basketball and track field. Ranked amongst the top 10 triple jumpers in the nation in 2002. He accepted a track and field scholarship with Florida A&M University, during his time there received Scholastic Athlete of the year in 2004, MEAC Championships in 2003 and 2004, and All-Conference team (Triple Jump). In 2004 he transferred to The Florida State University, while pursuing a bachelor's degree in Finance, he was able to sketch his name in the athletic record books become ACC All-Conference performer both indoor and outdoor in long jump & triple jump, 3rd place finish at the NCAA East Region Championship, and was apart of the 2006 NCAA Outdoor National Championship team (first national championship title in school history). After graduation pursued a professional career in track and field running for Shore AC Track Club. Despite rigorous schedule created from the professional career path, Johnta devoted time to help improve reading literacy for elementary students and helped social/educational development of special needs students (working as one on one aide for students with autism). He is a published author book entitled “Gazing in Truth”. In 2017 he married the love of his life Nicole Dixon Griffin. Johnta, Nicole, and their sons Johnathan and Jaylen reside in Smyrna, GA. He currently works at Home Depot in the Information Technology sector.