Rachel Walters is Gilmer High’s third new head coach heading into the 2023-24 school year.
She will take over the head coaching duties of the tennis program following the retirement of Donna Parks. Walters is a GHS alum and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019. She originally attended Kennesaw State and studied sports management before discovering the bulk of those jobs exist in major markets.
“I really like the small-town feel of Ellijay, so I wanted to find something I could do that would be the most impactful, and that’s how I came upon education,” Walters said. “I enjoy building relationships with the kids and feeling like I do have an impact on them. I love being around them, and I’ve always been a people person. With my family’s business, I’ve always been around the public.”
Walters, 26, is a familiar face in the community as her family is synonymous with Gilmer’s agribusiness scene. When not teaching and coaching, she can be found at Penland’s Apple House.
“Every weekend during apple season, you’ll see me out there trying to help them as much as possible,” Walters said. “They brought my husband (Jacob) on full time and he works for my dad. We’ll be the sixth generation to take over the farm, and we’re trying to make our presence known and help out as much as possible. It started back in the 1800s and to keep it going at least another generation is something we’re excited to do.”
Walters just wrapped up her second year in Gilmer teaching the nutrition and food science pathway at the college and career academy. She was a tennis assistant in both of those years and also a softball assistant in 2021.
“I grew up playing tennis and was a four-year varsity player in high school,” she said. “I’ve always enjoyed that aspect, and I still love sports, so I’m excited to be able to give back.”
Walters knows the program, players and has a vision in mind.
“I want to hit the ground running in January and get some good meaningful practices in,” she said. “This past year with the bad weather and rescheduling, we weren’t able to have as many practices once the season started. I want to make sure those early practices are meaningful and we get the most out of them.”
GHS only graduated two seniors off last year’s team. The Lady Cats earned an upset at the region tournament to secure a No. 4 seed headed into state. The Bobcats missed the state tournament as they dealt with some growing pains.
“We’ll feel the effects of losing Ollie Burnett, but Lyla Engel is capable of stepping into the No. 1 position,” Walters said. “Everyone else should transition up, and our doubles will stay the same.
“(Former senior) Larz Fowler was one of our boys doubles, and a lot of them were very competitive with each other. The boys are still very young, and we have high hopes for them as well.”
She added, “I want our players to give 100 percent each match, win or lose, and I want them to know they did their best. I want to build on their strengths and their weaknesses as well that we already know of. I think we can be fairly competitive this season.”
The tennis season will get underway in February, and Walters will be assisted by Jordan Hice and Chris Maniscalco.