Paul Lockwood serves as the Head Coach for the Apex High School Boys and Girls Cross Country program, bringing more than two decades of experience in the sport and 13 years of coaching leadership. Originally from Summerville, South Carolina, Coach Lockwood competed in cross country, track, and basketball in high school before continuing his running career at the collegiate level. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Liberty University and maintains a General Special Education teaching license along with CPR/First Aid certification.

Coach Lockwood was inspired to coach by the lasting influence his own high school and college coaches had on him, both as an athlete and as a person. His coaching philosophy centers on building a strong, inclusive team culture while trusting the process of consistent effort, accountability, and long-term growth. He values athlete development over short-term results and takes pride in seeing runners improve not only across a season, but throughout their entire high school careers. His background as both a coach and educator allows him to support athletes academically, emotionally, and athletically.

Coach Lockwood began his coaching career at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina, where he gained extensive experience in meet management and served as a meet director for major state and national-level events. Under his leadership, Apex athletes have earned conference, regional, and state championships, and he has been recognized multiple times as Coach of the Year. What brings him the greatest pride is staying connected with former athletes and watching them continue running—and growing—long after high school. Coach Lockwood values the dedication of his athletes and assistant coaches and enjoys contributing to the broader track and field community. Outside of coaching, he enjoys following Gamecock athletics and the Carolina Hurricanes, traveling with his wife, and helping organize meets at the conference, state, and national levels. A fun fact—his hometown of Summerville, South Carolina, is known as the birthplace of sweet tea.