Bio

Southard joined the Northwood University men’s and women’s cross country coaching staff in the fall of 2024.

A 2023 graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a master’s degree in Kinesiology, Southard spent two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Mules. During his time at UCM, he helped guide athletes to significant success. In 2022, he coached five new program all-time top-10 performances on the track and mentored an All-MIAA performer in the 800m. In 2023, he assisted in coaching two All-Central Region honorees, including one athlete who qualified as an individual for the NCAA Division II National Championships in Joplin, Missouri.

Before beginning his coaching career, Southard was a decorated student-athlete at Pittsburg State University. He was a 13-time All-MIAA selection, three-time All-American, and part of the Gorillas’ 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championship team. His collegiate highlights include winning a national title in the distance medley relay (DMR) at the 2021 NCAA Indoor Championships and setting multiple program records. Southard graduated as the school record holder in the 1500m (3:42.90) and the DMR (9:37.45), the latter ranking as the second-fastest time in NCAA Division II history at the time. He also finished among Pittsburg State’s all-time top 10 in the indoor mile (2nd – 4:07.97), indoor 800m (4th – 1:52.55), and outdoor 800m (10th – 1:52.20).

Southard earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Pittsburg State in 2022.