Senior Ammon Smith ’23 began his running career in sixth grade. Mentored by his father who had track experience in high school, Ammon found early success in middle school.

“I started out a little faster than most 7th graders, but then I really just learned to love the sport of running,” Smith said. 

After Smith’s successful junior high stint, he moved onto high school track and cross country; and Smith once again found himself performing above others.  

“Sophomore year track is probably my favorite memory, we made state and got to get some early experience which helped us last year and will this year,” Smith said.

Smith believes the Little Hawks are ready to compete and beat some of the top teams in the  state. 

“Obviously this year we want to win state. We feel like that we’re a team that’s ready to win it all,” Smith said.

Smith is trying to be one of the fastest runners at the state meet this year. He has already run a 50.13 in the 400 this year and a 1:53.60 in the open 800 meter race. He has set goals early on to earn some major awards this year too. 

“A couple personal goals for myself is to win an individual state title, and to get 5 blue standards (qualify for Drake in 5 events),” Smith said.

After this year in track, Smith will be continuing his running career at the collegiate level, running at the D1 level of track and field. 

“After this season, I’m going to run track and cross country at the United States Military Academy. I have always wanted to be in the military since I was really young, and I knew that I wanted to run in college,” Smith said.