An Interview with Our Coaches
COACH DEON
Marcus (Deon) Turner
Why did you become a track & field coach? Passion for coaching came from wanting to further my twins’ development in the sport.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? All! Sprints, relays, multi-events, and field events, specifically, long jump & shot put.
What are your Accomplishments as a coach/team? I’ve coached multiple USATF National Championship Relay teams, Multi Event USATF All-Americans, as well as USATF Regional Champions in field events and countless GRPA State Champions, but the accomplishments all belong to the athletes.
What are your in/off season expectations of the athletes?
Off season - Take care of your body by being mindful of your nutrition & run often. Additional sports are encouraged.
In season - Athletes to have a positive attitude & desire to give your all every rep! Parents to provide positive support to Athletes & the program and to reinforce coaches expectations when away from the team.
Were you an athlete? What sport/events? I played soccer and basketball in high school and soccer in college.
What is your day job? Retail manager & owner of a trucking company.
What are your hobbies? Coaching is my hobby!
Do you have kids who run on the team? Yes, twins and they have participated in literally every event!
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? Spring & Summer Track & Field is my passion!!!
What are your coaching credentials? USATF Level 1 since 2018
How long have you been coaching? Coaching track & field since 2016.
How many athletes/teams have you led to championships? USATF 11/12 Girls 4x800 Junior Olympics National Championship in 2021 & USATF 9/10 Girls 4x400 Junior Olympics National Championship in 2022
What is your favorite Smyrna Elite track team story to share? Winning our first USATF Junior Olympics Championship in 2021! It was extremely hot & the day was full of rain delays which pushed our event back more than 4 hours. But just after 10 pm our 11/12 girls secured the USATF Junior Olympics Championship in the 4x800 relay. Smyrna Elite coaches were tucked away quietly in the stands between raucous parents & spectators from opposing teams and listened with joy as all the trash talk & cheers turned to “come on baby, try to keep up”, “where they from”, and various other obvious sounds of defeat!
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? You get out of the sport exactly what you put into it. There is no quick fix or easy way. Hard work & dedication are required!
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? We are a track family dedicated to the full development of our athletes mentally & physically. Our program is designed to find out what track & field can offer your individual child, not what your child can offer to our team!
What is a fun fact about you? I’ve been coaching kids so long now, it’s hard to deal with adults!
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? Good question! I don’t have one. I was never a serious track & field athlete so this coaching journey has been a true learning experience for me. I learn more & more every year from classes & other coaches & continue to find new things to love about the sport!
COACH SERYNA
Seryna Muhammad-Wilkinson
Where you are from? I am from Philadelphia, PA
When did you become a track & field coach? I started coaching track with Smyrna Elite in 2013.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? I am a well versed coach with experience in multi events, mid-distance and field events. I also have extensive experience with sprints and conditioning.
What are your accomplishments as a coach/team? My greatest accomplishment as a coach is to see my athletes use their experience with myself and Smyrna Elite to achieve scholarship goals for college and personal fitness goals. I have seen success in both with our former athletes and that makes me coach every year!
What are your in/off season expectations? In season expectations are simple for my athletes, personal growth by setting and meeting physical goals! Off season goals for my athletes are to excel at their jobs (school) and still remember the benefits they felt from their experiences/challenges with us and practice at least some of our nutritional suggestions.
Where did you go to school, Were you an athlete? What sport/events? I attended high school in Philadelphia, PA and ran track multiple times in the Penn Relays and got to watch some of the greatest athletes of all ages compete. I also ran in College where I realized that I did not train enough to achieve success in the sport, poor work habits caught up with me. I learned an important lesson and THIS is why I coach.
What is your day job and do you have any hobbies?
I love sports (football, track, basketball and cheer). I coach cheer and track most years. Reading is my favorite activity and I do this often. In my day job I teach at Grand Canyon University where I teach and train school counselors, I am a licensed professional counselor and I have a non profit that works in the community with families in need.
Do you have kids who run on the team? What events? I have 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl, ages 20, 17,14, and 12. My family focuses heavily on education then sports. They all either currently run track or have run previously for years. They focused on sprints, long jump, high jump and pole vault. All have competed at State and 2 competed at the Junior Olympics.
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? What other sports do you coach? I coach sprints, mid distance, and field events. I have also coached cheer for over 5 seasons.
What are your coaching highlights and accomplishments? My mid distance babies (athletes) have had amazing success at the national level in their respective events! They work very hard and most do not realize the 24/7/365 dedication needed to be an athlete. For many seasons we have the opportunity to coach the top relay teams both males and females different ages in the state and the nation! We have have athletes set multiple national and state records that still stand from years ago.
What is your favorite Smyrna Elite track team story to share? My favorite story from the team is the evolution of the program and the multiple success that our consistent athletes have had in their careers.
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? We train hard but the benefits are many. Every sport needs the 3 components and benefits of track. We condition and train the best, to handle the best, and outlast the rest!
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? Smyrna Elite provides many opportunities for any child to find something for them. From sprints, to mid distance, to field events and now race walking - there is something for all!
What is a fun fact about you? I am often teased by other coaches because I snack often, but they are definitely jealous.
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? I love the sprint and I admire the 400 and 800 meter runners, they are a unique type of athlete that is specially talented. They have to run fast like a top sprinter with the endurance of a competitive mid distance runner.
COACH EMILIO
Anthony Emilio Leath
Where you are from? Miami, by way of Gainesville, Florida
Why did you become a track & field coach? I ran as a youth and see the benefits in learning how to run as it correlates to other sports.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? 200/400 meters as well as special disciplinary functions.
Accomplishments as a coach/team? 4 X’s All-Americans within the 200/400.
What are your in/off season expectations? Outwork everyone!
Where did you go to school, Were you an athlete? I attended Florida State University as a dual sport athlete for 2 years.
What is your day job? IT consultant
Do you have kids who run on the team? London Leath 100, 200, 400, 4x100, 4x400.
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? I currently assist with 200/400 groups and I’ve been with Smyrna Elite since its creation.
What other sports do you coach? I coach youth Football a well as Basketball.
What are your coaching credentials if any? AAU and USATF
How long have you been coaching? A long time!!
How many athletes/teams have you led to championships? A lot!
What are your coaching highlights? I enjoy seeing them succeed!
What is your favorite Smyrna Elite track team story to share? Racing one of the athletes and getting a cramp and rolling off the track!
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? It’s you and your race - not anyone else. You are your own competition, grow as you go.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna Elite? Because we care the most!
Share a fun fact about yourself. I’m emotional about the success of the athletes.
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? 400 meters because you have to sprint it the entire way. So it combines speed with strength conditioning.
COACH RICKEY
Rickey N. Oglesby, Jr.
Why did you become a coach? I wanted to share my experiences and knowledge of the sport with our youth as a volunteer.
What do you coach? Sprint Coach 200/400M, 4x400M relay
What are your accomplishments as a coach? 4x400M USATF National Champions (girls 9/10 yo), 400M all-American, 400M State qualifiers, 4x400M USATF Regional Champions.
What are your expectations of your athletes? To develop youth athletes on the track and in the classroom.
Where did you attend school? Paine College (D-11 SIAC) where I ran track and cross country. I was recruited as a 200/400M runner, but I ran the 100M at times.
What is your day job? I am aPrivate Bank Fiduciary, Football official, and Smyrna City Councilman -Ward 7
Do you have children who run on the team? My son ran on the team.
What are your coaching credentials? I am a USATF recognized coach
How long have you been coaching? I've been coaching for almost 4yrs.
How many athletes have you led to championships? 4 USATF National Champions, numerous All-Americans and state qualifiers, 4 USATF Regional Champions
What advice do you have for aspiring track runners? Take full advantage of every practice. Each day you have time with coaches is extremely valuable to your overall success as an athlete.
Why should parents and athletes choose Smyrna Elite? We have a proven track record of successfully helping athletes achieve the collegiate level with scholarships. We are not the biggest team, which allows us to offer a more personal touch.
What is your favorite event? My favorite event to coach is the 400M- it's the event I ran on the collegiate level and I believe it's the perfect balance between a sprint and middle distance event.
COACH JORDAN
Jordan McKinley
Where are you from? Cleveland, Ohio
Why did you become a track & field/XC coach? I grew up in the track community. I wanted to inspire the next generation and help achieve their goals.
What events do you coach and/or specialize in? 800 M
Accomplishments as a coach/team? Every member of the team hit a PR
Where did you go to school? North Carolina A&T
What is your day job? I work in advertising and my hobbies include jazz, art, and spending time with my dog
What events & seasons do you coach at Smyrna elite? I coach mid distance and cross-country year round
How long have you been coaching? Two years
What is your favorite time with Smyrna Elite? I love the practices after a good meet. The pride of the athletes as they reach a new milestone and work toward another is my favorite.
What is one piece of advice you have for aspiring track runners? Your success is tied to your effort. You learn how to run at a young age but it doesn’t guarantee success. The difference is the work.
Why should track athletes pick Smyrna elite? At Smyrna you get a dedicated coaching staff with a great team environment. You come to run but you stay for the family.
What is a fun fact about you? I really love the standing long jump and I adopted a dog named scrappy and the name definitely fits. I also once had a pet ferret named bandit…… if a pet has a peculiar name it’s usually for good reason!
What is your favorite event to Coach and why? The 800 M - It is the race where you can clearly see a difference in race strategies tailored to the strengths of the athletes. It’s the perfect blend of speed and endurance and takes an incredibly mentally tough athlete to be good at since no 800 race is the same. You must adapt.