Steve Telaneus
Steve Telaneus is in his 19th year as head coach of Marcus High School cross country and track teams. The boys won 16 straight championships from 1987 through 2002; the girls have won 10. The boys and girls have combined for 11 regional championships and 27 state appearances since 1989, finishing in the medals 10 times with three state championships. The track and field teams have combined for 13 district titles with the girls winning the regional championship in 1997 after a runner-up showing in 1996. In cross country and track, Coach Telaneus has recorded 20 individual regional champions and eight state champions, including the current record holder in the girls’ 3200-meter run. During his career at Marcus High School, Steve has won numerous accolades. He was named Cross Country Coach of the Year seven times since 1992 and was named National Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2000. Most recently, Steve was inducted into the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Steve’s commitment to kids doesn’t end on the athletic field. He was the Tandy Math-Science Campus Teacher of the Year in 1994 and Marcus High School Teacher of the Year in 2001. Steve is an active member of the following organizations: Texas High School Coaches Association, Texas High School Girls Coaches Association, National High School Coaches Association, Texas Track Coaches Association, National Track Coaches Association, and the American Running Association. Steve has spoken at clinics at all of the preceding organizations. Steve received his B.A. with honors from Occidental College in 1981, as well as graduate hours in biology and kinesiology from the University of North Texas. While attending Occidental, Steve was a two-sport athlete for the Tigers. He participated in football and track, earning All-American honors as well as a national championship in track. In the fall of 2002 (at the district cross country meet), Steve suffered major heart attack and was without heartbeat or respiration for about 20 minutes. His wife and a father of one of his athletes performed CPR until the EMTs arrived. His entire cross country team surrounded him the whole time, holding hands and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. Steve wasn’t given the greatest prognosis a family could hear; it was going to be touch and go for a while. Steve was back at work by January, about a year earlier than the doctors had predicted. He has had to re-learn a few things—from simple motor skills to complex computer operations. He cites his faith in Christ and the love of his friends and family for his speedy—and somewhat miraculous—recovery. Steve and his wife Ellie have four children: Tim, Sara, Ben, and Daniel. Steve and his family reside in Denton, Texas
