we are

We come from the land of team dinners and Friday night lights—where showing up matters, where the standard is high, and where being part of a team means something. That’s where we learned what real athletic development is:

  • commitment

  • accountability

  • community

  • performance

When we started coaching here, we didn’t find that standard. Athletes were willing to work, but they weren’t being coached at a level that matched their commitment. Programs are too broad, too standardized, or too stretched thin to develop individuals.

Our TEam

  • Alec Macartney

    Head Coach

    Coach Macartney has spent the past 8 years coaching athletes across the club, high school, and NCAA levels. A former collegiate track and cross country athlete, his coaching philosophy is built on conversation.

    Athletes should understand the why behind their training, feel comfortable asking questions, and take ownership of their development.

    He brings a technical eye to every session; often cueing specific muscle engagement, adjusting mechanics in real time, and tailoring workouts to how each athlete moves. The goal isn’t just to complete training, rather, to understand it.

  • Simeon Jacob

    Coach

    Coach Jacob is a professional runner and national record holder for Micronesia in the 1500m, 3000m, 5K, and 10K. His coaching experience spans working with high school runners at altitude in Tucson to coaching adults in Chicago’s running community.

    Coach Jacob’s coaching is rooted in an appreciation for movement. He takes a technical, exploratory approach; often refining mechanics and experimenting with how athletes move to unlock better performance.

    The focus is on finding what works for each individual and building from there.

  • Hannah Jackson

    Coach

    Coach Jackson is a longtime endurance athlete who is always looking for the next adventure; whether that’s a 4xMile relay, a marathon, or an ultramarathon. She races with confidence and curiosity, trusting she can adapt to whatever the race demands of her.

    That same mindset shapes her coaching. Coach Jackson’s coaching style is centered around helping athletes build confidence and compete boldly.

    She joins High South this summer after coaching adult athletes through the World Marathon Majors series and, most recently, a women’s team to break the The Speed Project record.

  • Evan Stober

    Club Manager

    Coach Stober is a former collegiate athlete and current marathoner with coaching experience spanning elite club programs in Iowa and his current role at Saint Ignatius College Prep.

    He approaches coaching as a system. He’s quick to identify when something in an athlete’s day-to-day (training, recovery, or habits) isn’t working, and even quicker to adjust.

    His style is direct and in the moment: small corrections, made consistently, that compound into meaningful progress over time. The focus is simple: build habits that lead to lasting improvement.

  • Busch

    Mascot

    Busch is the official High South mascot and a consistent presence at practices and races.

    Like any good bloodhound, he’s naturally curious, a little stubborn, and always ready to run. He might look serious at first, but he’s all heart.

  • Guest Coaches

    We often tap our network of pro-runners, nutritionist, physical therapist, and all around cool people to visit practices.

    If there is someone who can do it better than us… they’ll be the ones to do it.

Training Philosophy

We believe every athlete deserves coaching that reflects who they are—not a system built for convenience.

That means individualized training, real attention, and a standard of excellence that challenges athletes to reach their full potential.

Our job is to provide the structure, clarity, and accountability.

The athlete’s job is to show up and own it.

  • Most programs are built to manage groups.
    We build training around the athlete.

    If a program works for everyone, it’s probably not optimal for anyone.

  • Development comes from coaching, not just workouts.

    Small rosters allow for real oversight, real feedback, and real adjustment. Athletes don’t get lost in the system.

  • We don’t guess and we don’t rely on what “Coach M” has always done.

    Every decision (volume, intensity, recovery) is made with purpose, using a framework built for long-term development.

  • Our goal is to develop athletes who understand their training, take responsibility for their progress, and compete with confidence.

  • This is not a participation-based program.

    Our selective model ensures a focused, committed environment where athletes push each other to be better.

Train Hard & Luck Follows

We’re looking for athletes who show up, stay consistent, and take ownership of their development. If that’s you, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply to Train