Marcus and Julie South were introduced to Allen County-Scottsville track and field student-athletes on Tuesday, February 11 as the program’s new coaches. The Souths’ goal is to rebuild the program to a high level of competitiveness in track and field circles---restoring a tradition-rich heritage.
“When we started looking for a coach, we were seeking someone that would build a track and field program that is competitive and something we can be proud of,” noted AC-S athletic director Brad Hood. “We wanted someone that could build a program that would open doors for more of our students to participate in for now and for years to come.
Marcus South grew up heavily involved in track and field. As a student-athlete at Glasgow and Barren County, South participated in the sport alongside his siblings.
“Running is in my family's blood,” Marcus Smith said. “I ran a little in high school, my sister ran, and all my brothers ran. We enjoyed running. It's more than just a sport to us.”
Now, Marcus South wants to bring that same feeling to Lady Patriots and Patriots. Smith connected with the AC-S track and field program last year when his daughter added track to her list of activities. Her interest and watching Lady Patriot and Patriot athletes compete was an eye-opening reflective moment. When coach Matt McGuire stepped away due to a career move, Marcus South started to entertain the thought of applying for the coaching position.
“Last year my daughter ran track and that was a pride moment for me,” South explained. “I came out last year and watched her and the team in several events. When I saw her getting serious, I wanted to help her and everybody else on the team.”
The AC-S track and field program has a strong history over the past 50 years. Numerous track and field student-athletes have participated and found success. In 2012, 12 AC-S athletes took part in the Kentucky High School Athletic Association state meet including a pair of relay teams. More recent, Lady Patriot Savannah Gregory placed second in the 2015 Class 2A 400-meter dash and third in the 100m dash. Since then, four Patriots have competed in individual events over the 10-year period. Overall team numbers have been steady but there remains plenty of room for growth.
“The sky’s the limit,” South added. “We have many kids interested now and I can’t imagine what it will be like once the renovations are completed. These kids will be getting in on the ground floor of bigger things to come. Matt (McGuire) did a great job and we want to go forward to bigger things.”
South will bring new concepts, new challenges, and new competitions to the 2025 track and field team.
“We are working to build an all team first concept,” South said. “A big dynamic of the culture will be different. We will start together and finish together. I will do everything I ask them to do with them. We will warm-up together. If they don’t know we are a team by then, they are probably not made for us. We will also about double the amount of competitions this year.”
Julie South comes aboard as well. She would like to see the program return to where it was when she was in school at AC-S.
“It’s always been a great track story here,” Julie South added. “We want to get it back to that---to the Chris Young’s, the Tabitha Morris’, the Bre Boards’. We want to get back to the storied tradition.”
The pair encourages the community to attend track meets this year. All will be on the road but, both are hopeful that the upgrade to the school’s facilities over the next two years will lead to home meets---allowing the program to be showcased to the community.
The 2025 schedule is being finalized but, tentatively, AC-S will take part in their first track and field competition around mid-March. Once final, the schedule will be released and posted on AC-S’s social media sports sites.
Official practice starts next week. Any current middle or high school student-athlete interested in running track or participating in an associated field event should contact Julie South at the Allen County Intermediate Center as soon as possible. A reminder that a student-athlete must have a current KHSAA school physical form on file to practice and participate.