Ever since she was in kindergarten, track and field has been a part of MaryJo Swann’s life. 

Swann fell in love with the sport as she watched her older sister participate in USA Track and Field and AAU meets when they were young. Swann dabbled in a little bit of every event growing up. 

“I was a high jumper at one point and a shot putter, and just ran for fun at the time,” she said. 

But for the first time in her career, Swann is taking on the role of head coach. 

“I’m so, so very excited, but I definitely would not have been able to step into the role without such an incredible staff behind me,” Swann said. “Their expertise and the wealth of knowledge that they bring to the table that I can draw from is indescribable, and it makes all the difference in the world.” 

For Swann, track and field isn’t just a sport but is also a way of life.

Setting Her Own Records

Once she got to middle school, Swann became an avid sprinter. She carried this dedication with her to St. Mary’s High School where she set several school records and added a couple of state championships to her name. 

“I think I still hold the records for the 100, 200, 400 [meter runs], and I was a member of the 4×100 [relay team] record, but I think my niece actually ended up breaking that record, which is kind of a fun thing to have,” Swann said. 

Swann took her talents to Pittsburg State University where she helped set a school record for the sprint medley relay. 

Swann was also an All-Conference player her sophomore year and was a team captain for two years. 

After graduating from Pittsburg State, Swann stepped away from track, aside from supporting her nieces and helping where she was able, until two seasons ago when she started coaching with the Cardinals. 

Swann said she has loved getting back in the track atmosphere and sharing her passion for the sport with her athletes. 

Swann mainly coached long jump and triple jump during her two seasons as an assistant coach, but also helped coach the sprinters as well. 

Passing the Baton

Swann steps in for former head coach Joe Pickett who decided to resign from the position in August after five years of being in charge. 

Athletic Director Cara Kimberlin did not have to search far for a new head coach. Kimberlin said the track team’s coaching staff is so talented that she reached out to each of them individually to gauge their interest in becoming the head coach. 

Kimberlin said Swann was extremely interested and has no doubt that she will make a great head coach. 

“She’s got a great track background. She’s highly organized. She’s a great communicator. She’s right here in the building. She’s great with our kids, and so to me, that was a perfect fit,” Kimberlin said. 

Swann said she had a phenomenal head track and field coach when she was in high school and sort of dreamed of being in that role someday. 

So, when Kimberlin approached her about taking over for Pickett, Swann jumped at the chance. 

“I love organization and leadership. So to me, that’s a natural tendency of something that I like to take on,” Swann said. “And I really do love our athletes that we have in the program. So just being able to take on a different perspective and role within the program, not wanting to revamp and change a whole lot because it’s already got so many amazing things going for it, and just being able to challenge myself and just step into a new role.”

Pickett said Swann will make a great coach because she is someone who finds a way to help without needing to be asked and she understands the commitment required to contribute to the team. 

“I think she’s willing to put in the time that it takes, has some knowledge, has some great track background,” Pickett said. “But most of all, she’s a great teacher and makes connections with kids.” 

Pickett has moved into an assistant role with Scholars Bowl and said he is thrilled to be taking on this new opportunity. 

“We’ve done some practices, and I’ve helped lead some of those. I’m learning about all of the things that go into that, but for me it’s about having some connections with kids in different ways,” Pickett said. “That opportunity came up and I was excited to help coach Jim Barnard with that.”

As a jumper under Swann, junior Addy Hemphill said she is excited to see the track team continue to grow under Swann’s leadership and love for track and field. 

“She’s very passionate about what she does, and I think that’s just what makes an amazing coach is when they’re passionate about what they’re teaching. It makes the students really like it, too,” Hemphill said. “She’s just a really great coach. She likes to push you to your limits, and she wants to make everyone better.”

Hemphill placed third in long jump and fifth in triple jump at state last season, and was part of the 4x100m relay team that placed fifth at state. 

Now that she is officially head coach, Swann wants to build off the foundation that has been laid for her. 

“I think that we have a pretty great foundation and groundwork laid for us,” Swann said. “I’m just continuing to encourage our athletes to reach their full potential.”

Swann inherits a girls team that placed third at state and a boys team that placed sixth last season. 

Reach reporter Jack Denebeim at [email protected]

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