Creating His Own Legacy
The McMahon name carries with it a long legacy at Midland University. Ross McMahon wants to make sure he’s creating his own legacy during his collegiate journey. A junior Education major from Fremont, Ross is making his own mark at Midland in the classroom and with the Warriors’ Track and Field squad.
Ross’s grandfather, Jim McMahon, was a hall of fame cross country and track and field coach for more than 30 years at Midland, guiding the 1989 women’s track and field team to an NAIA Indoor national championship. Jim’s wife, Karen, worked in the athletic office for more than 25 years, while Ross’s parents, Sean and Beth, both graduated from Midland. Ross also has uncles who have been a part of the Midland family.
Needless to say, the McMahon name has significant meaning on the Midland campus. Ross is doing his part to make sure it remains that way. “I want to carry on the legacy, but at the same time, I want to build my own legacy. My grandpa and my parents have all been extremely successful as coaches, but we’ve never had someone make their mark as an athlete at Midland. I want to be part of what my family has helped build at Midland, but also be doing my own thing.”
Ross is creating his own legacy by establishing himself as one of the top high jumpers in the nation. He recently earned All-American honors at the NAIA Indoor National Championships with his seventh-place finish as Midland finished sixth as a team, the highest finish in men’s program history. “It was a great accomplishment for our program. People sometimes think of track and field as an individual sport, but we feel like we are a team. I look around at other schools, and they compete for themselves. At Midland, we compete for each other.”
The Midland experience was ingrained in Ross at a very young age as he spent much of his childhood on campus around his grandfather. “I remember being four or five years old and telling my mom that I was coming to Midland when I was older. Once I got into high school and started getting attention from other coaches for track and field, I branched out and made a few visits. But Midland always felt like home to me. I remember coming home from a visit to another school, and it just didn’t feel right. I knew Midland was where I wanted to be. My grandpa passed away (2016) before I got here, so I never had the opportunity to have him as a coach. But it’s been very special for me to be part of something he built.”
Coaching has been a way of life for the McMahon family. Aside from Jim’s accolades, Sean and Beth have helped guide the Fremont High boys cross country program to numerous Class A state titles. Ross was a runner on one of those championship teams in 2018 and served as an assistant coach for the 2021 state champs. “There’s been no one better to learn from than my dad. I remember listening to conversations between my grandpa and my dad, and they almost always involved cross country or track and field. I think a big reason for the coaching success in my family was their ability to bounce ideas off of each other.”
Ross is planning on a career as a teacher and coach, and he would relish the opportunity to carry on the tradition his parents have established at Fremont High. “I would love to be a part of that program and eventually, maybe take over the reins. I’ve learned so much from them as coaches, and they’ve helped me grow into a leadership role.”
As a member of both the indoor and outdoor track and field teams, much of Ross’s time is consumed with practice or meets. But that hasn’t stopped him from getting to know many fellow Warriors along the way. “I spend a lot of time on campus and try to get to know as many people as I can. As a smaller campus, one of the benefits of Midland is that you get to know people without realizing you’re getting to know them. I like the small, family feel and that you can have conversations with your professors and ask them questions.”
He believes being a Warrior is all about having pride in what you do, whether that’s in the classroom, being with friends, or working to be one of the best high jumpers in the country. “I feel a lot of pride being at Midland. Growing up, it was in my blood that Midland was special and something I wanted to be a part of. I saw the strong culture my grandpa built and that my dad has carried on. I’m proud to be a part of that.”
Ross McMahon is a junior education major from Fremont, NE. To share your story, or nominate a friend, email social@midlandu.edu or post using #FacesofMidland.
