Year of Women Coach Series: Amy Seago

by Nick Vlattas

College of Charleston track and field and cross-country coach Amy Seago was a small kid, but she quickly realized that in the world of competitive running, her slim stature was an advantage.

Aided by her Uncle John – who plotted and measured her first running course around her neighborhood – Seago learned all the ins and outs of competitive running: how to breathe, how to prepare, how to sleep and how to eat.

She first turned heads in the sixth grade when she ran a 6:28 mile on the first day of tryouts for her middle school’s track program. And that was it – Seago was off to the races. She continued to develop competitively all the way through her All-American running career at Allegheny (Penn.) College, where she served as a two-year team captain, appeared at the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships twice, was a six-time NCAA qualifier in track and field, and set the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) record in the 800 meters. All in all, Seago racked up 11 NCAC titles.

That focus, determination and agility on the track has served her well in her coaching career, too. Now, as one of the longest-tenured coaches at the College, Seago is in her 16th season at the helm of the Cougar track and field and cross-country programs. And in that time she’s helped mold her student-athletes not just into better runners, but more importantly, into better people.

There are many methods and levels of preparation to take prior to a run, and one’s ability to overcome adversity and achieve success is dictated by the level of detail in preparation. Seago believes success is in the details.

To read the full story on Seago’s journey on the track and as a coach visit cofcsports.com. Catch the CofC Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Team at the Charleston Southern University Spring Break Invitational on Saturday, March 16, 2019.

Featured image: Track and field and cross country coach Amy Seago. (Photo by Marquise Pointer)