The Newton South Running Tradition

A note from Coach Steven McChesney about the Newton South Running Tradition

I would like to give the new parents and kids on our team a brief history of our cross country and track and field programs. We have so many new kids in our program that a few words about where we have been could lead to where we can go together.
Prior to my 20 years as coach at Newton South a rich tradition had already been started with a state championship team and many national caliber athletes. I feel that we simply carry on that tradition and being aware of it can instill pride and confidence in our current teams.
I have started a more detailed history that will be sent in soon and plan a complete history after that.
This is a daunting task and a visit to our school trophy case will back this up as we have won so many state level trophies that they are also stored in the athletic department office and also in Scott's (our athletic director) office.
Until then this will do.
We have enjoyed over 20 undefeated seasons, 40 plus DCL Championships, produced over 20 Division Championships and have placed 1st or 2nd in All State over 15 times. We have had 18 All State individual and relay champions.
We had teams ranked in the top 25 in the country with a team finishing 6th at the national cross country championship in Oregon. We have set 6 All New England Records and even more state records while having 48 kids earn All American honors in all event groups.

Two years ago Sports Illustrated named Newton South the top athletic program in the state largely on the top 6 placing at nationals of our cross country team, two national titles from our 4 x Mile team in both indoor and spring nationals, a 4 x 800 team that placed 2nd in the nation with the all time 3rd fastest time ever run in the US and also a 4th place at nationals in the DMR. That year both boys and girls won DCL championships and an All State Championship as well.
Currently David Melly is ranked 13th in the nation in the 2 Mile and Kathy O' Keefe is ranked 11th in the nation in the 1000 meters and 13th in the nation in the mile.