Ruston High School

The Long
Red Line

Foundation, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ruston High School's Track and Field and Cross Country programs. Protecting a legacy. Investing in the next generation of Bearcats.

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Our Mission

A Legacy Worth
Carrying Forward

At Ruston High, red and white aren't just colors. They represent decades of discipline, early morning miles, state championships, and quiet grit when no one was watching. They represent a long line of athletes who wore the Bearcat on their chest and carried something bigger than themselves — tradition.

The Long Red Line Foundation exists to protect and extend that legacy. We are a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ruston High School's Track and Field and Cross Country programs. Our mission is simple: give current and future Bearcats the resources, opportunities, and support they need to compete, grow, and succeed.

What began with two runners in 1981 has grown into a multi-decade tradition of excellence, producing state champions, national-caliber athletes, and leaders who carry the lessons of the line into every corner of life.

6
State Championships
34
District Titles
200+
All-State Runners
45+
Years of Tradition

The History

Building the Line,
Decade by Decade

From two runners in 1981 to a perennial powerhouse — the story of how Ruston High became synonymous with cross country excellence in Louisiana.

1981
Paul Thiels and Lorman Smith become the inaugural members of what would become The Long Red Line, setting the foundation under Coach David Crowe.
1991
Coach Dave Anderson arrives at Ruston High. Jeramie Hinojosa becomes his first all-state runner, launching a new era for the program.
1992
Ruston wins its first boys' state championship. Ryan Elmore becomes the program's first individual state champion.
1995 – 2000
A dynasty takes shape with state titles in '95, '97, and '00. Suzanne Dyson Tyler becomes the first girls' state champion in 1996. Jay Hilton earns multiple championships.
2001 – 2008
Hunter Carswell becomes the only Louisiana boy to earn all-state honors in all four years. Championships in '06 and '08 cement the program's dominance.
2018
Coach Dustin Cochran takes the helm, reinvigorating the program and continuing the tradition Anderson built.
2022
Lily Garrett wins the girls' state championship. Hallie Hebert becomes the first second-generation legacy to earn all-state honors.
Today
The Long Red Line Foundation is established as a 501(c)(3), ensuring the tradition continues for generations to come.
"These programs build more than fast runners and strong throwers. They build leaders, teammates, and resilient young men and women who carry those lessons into adulthood."

Your Support

What Your
Donation Supports

Excellence requires support. Every dollar strengthens the line.

🏃

Training Equipment

Providing athletes with quality training equipment and field event gear so they can compete at the highest level.

🛫

Travel & Competition

Covering travel and competition expenses so distance and cost never prevent a Bearcat from reaching the starting line.

🏗

Facility Improvements

Upgrading training facilities to match the caliber of the athletes and coaches who use them every day.

🏆

Athlete Development

Creating opportunities for athlete development — from camps and clinics to mentorship with Long Red Line alumni.

📈

Program Growth

Fueling growth for both Track and Field and Cross Country, ensuring the programs thrive for decades to come.

🤝

Community & Alumni

Connecting past and present runners through reunions, events, and a shared commitment to Bearcat excellence.

By the Numbers

A Record of Excellence

Decades of championship-caliber competition under legendary coaching.

9
State Championship Teams
19
State Runner-Up Teams
55
District Championships
5
National Champion Individuals
180
State Champions
16
LHSAA State Records