FORT SILL, Okla. (July 28, 2016) -- The term "Soldier-athlete," a commonly used phrase throughout the Army, implies that in some way, shape or form, Soldiers are asked to achieve physical tasks that can be compared to activities a professional athlete would perform.
Every now and then, there are Soldiers who far exceed the physical expectations of being a Soldier-athlete. One at Fort Sill became a world class athlete as an Olympics contender.
Spc. Marcus Maxey came from humble beginnings. He hailed from Athens, Ga., and was the only child of a single mother.
At the age of 15, while attending Clark Central High School, he discovered his need for speed. Running track for the first time, he realized a talent for the 110-meter hurdles.
Maxey then graduated college with a bachelor's degree in criminology from Clemson (S.C.) University, and also ran track.
Rather than settling for a normal 9-to-5 job after college, he enlisted in the Army in August 2013, as an information technology specialist. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery, at Fort Sill.
While continuing his duties as a Soldier, Maxey continued his track training after work and competed in multiple track meets around the country.
His first meet was indoors at his alma mater this past January. In April, Maxey competed in the Texas Relays in Austin, where he not only came in first for the 110-meter hurdles, but he also ran a lifetime best of 13.65 seconds
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Motivated by victory, Maxey traveled back to the Lone Star state in June, to Lancaster College in Dallas, and once again sprinted his way to first place, crushing his previous personal best with a time of 13.38 seconds.
Prompted by the recommendation of 2-4th FA Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Oliver, the Army World Class Athlete program sponsored Maxey in competition for a position in the 2016 World Olympics in Brazil.
On July 8, at the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., Maxey breezed past many of the greatest athletes in America, and he earned a qualifying position in the U.S. Olympic qualifying semi-finals.
On July 9, Maxey placed 14th in the semi-finals, with the number one qualifier in the finals running only two-tenths of a second faster than his recent best time.
Maxey accomplished all of this without the benefit of big-name sponsors, specialized dietitians, dedicated physical therapists, a full-time training schedule or the daily professional coaching of the other competitors.
Although he didn't make the Olympic team, Maxey said he looks forward to the challenges and competition the future holds.
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