Two days after her volleyball season came to an end after a tough battle against Saxony Lutheran in the state sectionals game, sophomore Presley Smith found herself waking up early on Saturday Nov. 1, competing in the Districts cross country meet at Arcadia Valley, where she set her new pr at 20:38.
Cross Country coach, Coach Politte, explained what qualifying for state meant to her as a coach. And while she had many things to say, there was one specific subject she talked about: dedication.
“It [state qualification] means that the kids have worked hard all year, they ran their best at districts, and it’s paid off for them. All their hard work over the summer, all the training and their determination paid off for them,” said Coach Politte.
Smith said, “My mindset going into this meet was to do it for not just myself but for my team as well. I knew if I tried my hardest then it would give the team a better chance.”
Coach Politte’s goals for Smith at the state meet are, to be prepared and ready to go, for her to trust her training, and for her to try her best because if she does that then she can walk away knowing that she did all she could.
Coach Politte said, “Her hard work through the season has led her to this moment. She had been dedicated to making sure she gets her practices in, her work outs, on top of a busy schedule and juggling two sports.”
“My goals going into the state meet are to finish top 30, while finishing with a time of 20;25. But if that doesn’t happen for me then I want to leave the meet with no regrets, knowing I tried my hardest,” said Smith.
This is Smith’s second year making an appearance at the cross country state meet. Last year she placed 45th, in hopes of placing higher this year. Smith will be competing in the state meet in Columbia MO on November 7, 2025.
Some of Smith’s hobbies include reading her Bible, hanging out with friends, attending church every Sunday and playing tennis with her friends at the park. She is involved with multiple different sports and clubs in school, such as, volleyball, basketball, track, and FCA.
