Located in "Track Town, USA", South Eugene has been a Track and Field powerhouse, especially in distance events, since the early 70s. In fact, the program has often reflected the fortunes of the University of Oregon track and field and cross country teams. Coinciding with the bringing of the Olympic Trials to Eugene, the founding of Nike, and the emergence of Steve Prefontaine, South Eugene began a tradition of winning which continues today, with a total of 22 boys cross country and track and field championships, and 5 girls cross-country and track and field championships. Some notable things in school history include:

-1973 cross country team first "all Nike" team in the world, ie first to all wear Nike shoes.
-Harry Johnson coached primarily cross country and track & field after starting his career coaching boys and girls gymnastics. He amassed 25 state championships in 3 sports over 15 years of coaching until he left South in 1977 to take over Nike's fledgling Athetics West post collegiate track program.
-John Gillespie coached at South and later UO for many years.
-The 1976 Boys 4xMile relay team still holds the national record in that event, in a time of 17:06.
-Billy McChesney, who ran for South Eugene, later went on to set the UO school records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters.

South Eugene still holds National Prep Records in the following events:

-South Eugene alumnus and current coach Jeff Hess still holds the national prep record in the steeplechase (athletics), in a time of 8:50.1, set in 1979.
-The 1976 Boys 4xMile Relay team of Dirk Lakeman, Chris Neilson, Bill McChesney, and John Gustafson hold the record in 17:06.6.
-The 1982 Boys 4x1500 Relay team of Eric Mason, John Chambers, Will Kimball, and Matt McGuirk hold the record in a time of 16:03.7.
-Brad Hudson holds the 5,000 meter Indoor record in 14.29.28, set in 1984.
-Craig Brigham holds the International Decathlon record of 7359, set in 1972.
-Members of the classes of '79, '80 and '81 set the national 24 hour relay record in the summer of 1979.

Current Coaches:

Pat Tyson - Director of SEHS Track & Field
Jeff Hess - Distance Running
Bob Haines - Pole Vault/Long Jump/Triple Jump
Andy Codding - Shot Put/Discus
Troy Faccio - Sprints/Relays
Randy Moore - Hurdles
Jason Boness - High Jump
Liz James - Assistant Distance
Gabe Jennings - Assistant Middle Distance
Natalie Rombach - Assistant Throws
Sarah Malone - Javelin
John Stiegler - Javelin