Cramer opts out of coaching at Grant

When Jim Cramer took over Grant's girls track and field program in the mid-1990s, his short-term goals were modest.

"When I first started, I was just trying to get some points at sectional," he said.

In time, Cramer boasted one of the best programs in the county. Two years ago, he led the Bulldogs to the first of back-to-back sectional championships, after a runner-up finish at the sectional in 2005.

Eleven years -- and four kids -- later, the goal-oriented Cramer is focused on something else.

He wants to be a more-involved dad.

So, Cramer has stepped down as head girls track and field coach. He will continue to serve as an assistant coach for the varsity football team.

Cramer and his wife, Lori, have four children under the age of 8: sons Alex, 7, Adrien, 6, and Aaron, 3, and daughter Lilly, 2.

"It was a combination of things," Cramer said. "The kids are starting to get involved in things, and I've accomplished a lot (with the girls track and field program)."

Under Cramer, Grant earned a reputation of producing Division I throwers. The list includes Kari Richards (Western Michigan), Danielle Eiler (East Carolina), Cora Caulfield (Northern Illinois) and the just-graduated duo of Bailey Wagner (Georgia Tech) and Tori Ziegler (Illinois State).

Led by its two throwers, Grant finished fifth in the Class AA state meet last month, after placing eighth in 2007 and fourth in 2006.

"He's just an amazing coach," Wagner said after signing with Georgia Tech earlier this year. "We've had our ups and downs, but he's just competitive and drills it into us, and really just shows no doubt that we can achieve what we need to achieve by hard work and dedication."