In the high speed world of sprinting, improving means running faster. Getting better is measured on the coach’s stopwatch. But to see faster times, you need more than just fast feet.
“I started listening more in order to get a better understanding of what running is all about,” Shahad Smith said. “Running teaches a lot more than just running races. It has a lot of life’s lessons, too.”
Before graduating from Brunswick High School last month, he ran the 400 meters, 4×100 relay, and 4×400 relay on the Pirates track team while also playing defensive back for the Brunswick football team last fall. Even in the mostly solo sport of track and field, the senior discovered that teamwork and leadership were requirements. In the years he’s been running, he learned to be supportive of his teammates.
“Shahad adds mental toughness, determination, leadership, and a never quit spirit that has impacted everyone on the team,” Ryan McKenzie, Brunswick boys track coach, said. “He makes his teammates better and does not accept any excuses from them.”
This year, McKenzie’s team had just a handful of seniors who became a tight knit group over the years. On their first day, Smith and fellow seniors Jeremiah Bacon, Danijah Gammage, and Ronald Spradley agreed to stay together until the end. This year, they made up the Pirates 4×400 relay team.
“Shahad’s strong point in his sprinting is his ability to pace himself and know when to kick and finish the race strong,” McKenzie said. “He has great endurance, and he also runs a perfect third leg for our four-by-one team. His ability to lean in and sprint the curve is second to none.”
Smith put in a lot of work to become a top-notch runner in the 400.
“He went from a sub-par sprinter to competing for a region and state championship through his hard work and determination to the sport,” McKenzie said.
Smith enjoyed attending practices and preparing for races with his track mates. Practice is where members of the Pirates track and field team learned how to encourage, motivate, and build each other. They also competed against one another for fun and to help their teammates get better.
“I have had the opportunity to be track captain for every year that I have participated, even middle school, so I had no choice but to lead by example,” Smith said. “It made me a better person, and it shows every day.”
He credited the entire track team for being supportive of his efforts.
Along with his growing leadership skills, Smith also saw improvement in his times. He had been running the 400 in 60 seconds, but in his first meet as a senior, he ran a 0:51.46, more than eight seconds faster than his previous personal best. It was also his most memorable race because he was facing a former teammate who had transferred to a nearby school.
“He and I used to push each other, so it felt funny racing against someone who I was used to motivating me,” Smith said. “That race happened to be my personal best time.”
When he sets into the starting blocks for a race, he remembers the words of his pastor: “‘If given the opportunity to be me, I won’t fail.’ So given the chance to compete, I run as if I am trying to obtain a prize. No one can run quite like me. Although there are people faster or slower than me, there is absolutely no one that can do it as I would.”
He believes running could possibly be his path to something bigger. If all goes well, one day Smith will be running down criminals as a member of law enforcement. His goal is to get a degree in criminal justice from Georgia Southern University and then pursue a career on the federal level.
The son of Bryan and Angela Smith, Shahad Smith started running track and playing football in seventh grade. His freshman and sophomore years, he participated in Brunswick High School’s NJROTC athletic teams. That changed his junior year.
“I didn’t start back running track until my 11th grade year,” Smith said. “Basically, coach McKenzie ‘volun-told’ me to be there, and I am glad he did. I have been running ever since.”
When he is not in school, Smith enjoys spending time with his family.
“Fishing with my father and going to church; we do the two faithfully,” Smith said.
Those around him say Smith is a great athlete on the track and a better student and son, always on time and respectful.
“He’s not the fastest, strongest, or biggest person in the world, but the muscle that counts in any sport is his heart, and you can’t measure that,” McKenzie said. “He has the ‘it’ factor, and he has a work ethic that will guarantee him success at whatever he does.
SE-MI-0617-Smith
MI – Shahad Smith
Brunswick track
By Rob Asbell
Photography by Michael Brinson
Running Smarter
