Ryan Harlan, Cokie Reed, and Bill Farmer were inducted into the Midway High School Athletics Hall of Fame last week during an on-field ceremony and plaque presentation before Friday night’s varsity football game at Panther Stadium. Both Ryan and Cokie achieved significant athletic success during their time at Midway and beyond, and Bill Farmer coached numerous athletes to state success.
Ryan Harlan | Class of 1999
Ryan Harlan is being inducted into the Midway Athletic Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Track and Field Athlete. Ryan was an outstanding Track and Field athlete at Midway High School winning district and regional titles in several events. Ryan continues to hold the school record in both the 110 hurdles (13.74) and high jump (6’11”). Ryan also finished second in the UIL State Meet in high jump in 1998 and in the 110 hurdles in 1999. Ryan excelled academically as well, finishing high school in the top 10% of his class.
Upon graduating high school, Ryan attended Rice University where he competed in the heptathlon and decathlon. He was a Junior National Champion in the decathlon in 2000 and named NCAA Division I All-American Track and Field Athlete in both 2002 and 2004 for the decathlon. As a senior, Ryan won the 2004 NCAA National Championship in the decathlon and still holds the school record for Rice University in the decathlon 110m hurdles.
Post-college, Ryan continued to compete in the decathlon. He was consistently a top-10 world-ranked decathlete, becoming a two-time USA Indoor Champion in the heptathlon in 2005 and 2006, and a two-time USA National Outdoor Championships Runner-Up in the decathlon in 2006 and 2011.
Cokie Reed | Class of 2009
Cokie Reed is being inducted into the Midway Athletic Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Basketball Athlete. Cokie was the epitome of a student-athlete during her time at Midway High School, excelling on and off the court.
Cokie accumulated numerous athletic awards during her time as a Midway athlete including Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State Basketball honors all four years, Girls Basketball District MVP, and qualified for the state track and field meet, still holding the Midway Shot-Put record. Cokie Reed is also a member of the 2009 4A UIL State Basketball Championship team, where she received the UIL 4A State Tournament MVP award. In addition to state awards, Cokie received national recognition as a McDonalds All-American, Nike All-American, Parade All-American, Naismith Player of the Year Finalist, and Gatorade Player of the Year Finalist.
Off the court, Cokie excelled in the classroom and on campus. She was a member of the Midway Philharmonic Orchestra, awarded numerous academic accolades, and was voted by her classmates as the 2008 Midway High School Homecoming Queen.
After high school, Cokie accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas to play basketball where she earned Big 12 Freshman All-American honors, Big 12 Commissioner Honor Roll Honoree, and received the Arthur Ashe Jr. Academic Achievement Award. In 2021, Cokie was named in UIL’s Top 100 Players of all time. After playing for the Longhorns, Cokie has committed herself to youth sports, having coached at numerous levels including high school, college, and AAU Basketball. Her commitment to youth development continues to this day as founder of the CREED Academy and Director of the Midway Panther League basketball program that serves youth in the community.
Bill Farmer | Outstanding Coach and Educator
Bill Farmer is being inducted into the Midway Athletic Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Coach and Educator. Coach Farmer successfully led Midway High School Athletic Programs as a Head Coach from 1981 until his retirement in 2008. Over those 28 years, Coach Farmer led boys cross country (1981-2007), girls cross country (1996-2007), boys track (1981-1995) and girls track (1999-2008).
As the head cross country coach, Coach Farmer won 23 district team titles, qualified 37 teams for regionals, and led 11 teams to the state meet, winning one silver medal, two bronze medals, and six top-10 finishes at the state level. Furthermore, Coach Farmer coached 15 individual runners to the state meet where he had one state champion, three silver medalists, one bronze medalist, three fifth-place, one sixth-place and seven top-10 finishers.
As the head track coach, Coach Farmer led Midway teams to 14 district titles and qualified 35 athletes to the state meet in individual events and relays, scoring points in 33 of those events. At the state meet, Bill Farmer and his staff coached athletes to bring home 16 medals, including six gold, six silver, and four bronze in addition to five fourth-place finishes, six fifth-place finishes, and six sixth-place finishes.
For over 28 years, Coach Bill Farmer tirelessly and unselfishly poured himself into the students in his classroom and the athletes he coached. After hanging up his whistle in 2008, Coach can still be found volunteering at cross country and track meets, ensuring student-athletes in the community continue to excel in the programs he dedicated his professional life to. Midway Cross Country and Track and Field remain highly regarded across the state due in large part to the standard Coach Farmer created, nurtured, and expected of Midway athletes.
View additional photos from the on-field ceremony here.
