Marshall Leonard was named Salem University head Cross Country and Track coach in August of 2021.
Leonard brings a wealth of cross country experience to both programs, having coached at North Carolina Wesleyan College (D3), Nash Central, Northern Nash, Southampton, and T.L. Hanna High Schools during his career.
During the 2020-2021, Coach Leonard saw a lot of success during both sports. During the Cross Country season the team finished with 4 All- Conference runners, and in the Track season, he had 10 All Conference runners. The season concluded with 2 Track & Field Runner-Up Conference Champions. Considering that the 2021 season was the 1st year that NC Wesleyan had a track team, this was an outstanding accomplishment. Coach Leonard also had 2 athletes that were ranked nationally during the season.
The teams showed great improvement throughout the years by beating D1 and D2 teams after going winless the previous 3 seasons before Marshall Leonard arrival. During Leonard’s tenure he brought NCWC its 1st ever win in the program’s history.
Coach Leonard continued his success through recruiting by bringing in the school’s most talented female class in 2019, with 2 women that ran the five fastest 6K times in school history, multiple international runners, a Runner-up National Champion transfer, and one college transfer that ran the fastest 5K in NCWC track history. His recruiting efforts has resulted in the 1st ever All-Conference runners in school history.
The NCWC team hosted the USA South Conference Championships twice, and had so much success that the commissioner asked if NCWC could host in 2021.
Leonard is a product of Northern Nash High School, where he enjoyed a stellar career in cross country, as well as indoor and outdoor track. His prep tenure, in fact, saw the talented runner compete in multiple conference, regional, and state championships. He went on to start his coaching career at his alma mater, helping lead the Knights to the NCHSAA Indoor Track & Field State Championship before leaving to attend Anderson College in South Carolina. While at Anderson, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at T.L. Hanna High School, later departing for a four-year tour in the United States Navy. His military career saw him achieve recognition as a Quartermaster Second Class Petty Officer.
At the completion of his military duty, Leonard returned home to North Carolina where he re-entered the coaching ranks at Nash Central High School. During his stint at Nash Central, the Bulldogs produced multiple State Champions in various areas of track & field, such as high jump, hurdles, 1mile, 2-mile, and 4x400, and hurdle races. He also guided one student-athlete to recognition as the WRAL Extra Effort Award winner for her performances both athletically and academically. While coaching at Nash Central, Leonard resumed his college studies at Nash Community College and completed his undergraduate degree at Barton College in Health and Physical Education. He made the move to Southampton High School in 2015, where he served as a cross country and track coach for two seasons prior to joining the Battling Bishops.
Because Leonard is an intense competitor he continued to hone his own personal skills well into his 30s by competing in the North Carolina State Games and the USA Track & Field Master’s Nationals in the 800 meter runs. He currently holds a USA Track & Field Level 1 and 2 certification with level 2 focus in endurance training
