Making the decision for your life after high school can be tricky. For most, figuring out what college you wanna go to, or if you don’t wanna go to college is a struggle, but that is not the case for senior Reese Smith. Smith started doing track after playing soccer up until seventh grade. Smith’s mother and sister both ran track and inspired Smith to do the same. Smith always knew that track was going to be in her future and when she looked into Oakland University for track, she knew it was the one.
“I committed to Oakland because I felt a good connection to the athletic program there, and I knew I would succeed. I also like the area, and I met some cool people, and I felt like I would fit in,” Smith said.
In order to pursue track in college, Smith figured out she had to be dedicated in both her academic life and track life.
“She was a phenomenal runner and athlete from the start of her career. Reese works hard in both school and athletics. She keeps everything in perspective and always has a smile on her face,” Head Coach Libby Shutler said.
When one is on a team for as long as Smith has been, you develop a close bond with fellow teammates. Junior Tessa Mascari joined track her freshman year, and she and Smith have been friends since.
“She’s probably the most competitive person on our team, you can always count on her being a really good person in relays or scoring points for the team,” Mascari said.
Competing in any sport can make getting into the proper head space some days difficult, including track. There can be a lot going on during people’s lives especially for seniors at the end of the year, and having to get into the head space to run a race, can take a lot of mental power. As well as mental there is also physical, you are constantly running and training for the next race.
“I have faced many challenges mentally, mostly through the mental game you play in your head during a race. It is also challenging to motivate yourself every day to run, and sometimes it takes a toll on your body,” Smith said.
Playing sports in high school is one way to make life long memories and friendships, with people who share the same passion for a sport.
“ My favorite memory of Reese is her ability to be positive even when she wants to be upset. Running is hard and not every race will be your best race. Reese expects a lot from herself. Races don’t always turn out how she wants, but she always knows how to see the positive.” Schutler said.
