COACH MEGAN MENDEZ -  mlmendez@forsyth.k12.ga.us 

Coach Megan Mendez - Coach Megan Mendez was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was while attending the University of Pittsburgh that she discovered a love for running and has been running ever since. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in Developmental Psychology and her teaching certificate. Since moving to Georgia she has earned her Master's in Literacy Education and her Specialist's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Coach Mendez is starting her 18th year in education and will be teaching AP and IB Psychology as well as US History this year. Her husband is also a high school teacher. They were married in 2013 and have one son, Deacon, who you will all see at pasta dinners! In her spare time Coach Mendez enjoys reading, yoga, traveling, and running. She has a goal of running in all 50 states with her best friend.

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COACH KATIE JAMES -  kjames@forsyth.k12.ga.us 

Coach Katie James - This year marks my 21st year in education.  I am currently the Instructional Coach at South Forsyth Middle School.  The first part of my career was spent teaching elementary school and coaching high school cross-country and track in Fulton County.  As an alum of Chattahoochee High School in Johns Creek, I held the school record for the mile for 10 years, until I coached one of my runners to break my record!  What an honor! I am the 4A, 1998 Georgia State Champion in the mile with a time of 5:09. I continued my running career at the University of Alabama, ROLL TIDE, running cross-country and track.  

I moved to Forsyth County nine years ago and began teaching at South Forsyth Middle School.  I continued coaching at the middle school and had the pleasure of coaching and teaching many of the current SFHS XC & Track athletes. I am excited to move back up to high school this year to have the opportunity to coach your student-athletes, and my son Connor, who is a freshman.

My husband and I have been married for 16 years.  We have three children: Connor (9th grade), Maureen (8th grade), and Declan (5th grade).  We love being active as a family and spend weekends cheering on our children and their friends at all sporting events.   

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COACH DESTA LONGCOACH DESTAE LONG

I’m a Minnesota native & a Vikings diehard!  I’ve lived in GA for 21 years.  

I have three wonderful kids: Paige-20-graduated SFHS 2022; Pierson- 17 - rising junior & SFHS XC & track runner; Preston- 10- rising 5th grade. Paige got married last year to Logan (my bonus son!) & is expecting a little girl on 7/28/24. I’m extremely excited to be a grandma!

I’ve been coaching since 2018 at SFHS.  I am a former marathon runner & Boston Marathon qualifier.  Since 2014 I’ve enjoyed CrossFit & strength training.  I also am NASM certified & have my CrossFit level 1 certification.

I work full time as a medical supervisor at a    functional health clinic.  However, as much as I can I still join in at practices and especially the meets!  In my spare time, I enjoy being with my kids & my better half, Paul.