Senior Hero's: Tyler Smith Northeast Lauderdale

Mississippi Senior Heros 2020


Name: Tyler Smith 

School: Northeast Lauderdale HS

Q: What does your training look like right now given the current situation?

A: In caution and consideration of social distancing, I mainly do all of my running around the roads around my house. On my conditioning days, I will run at least five miles. On the days where I want to train speed, I will run half miles and try to hit under two minutes and twenty seconds each time. I also have a hill located about a mile away from my house, so usually once a week I will go to this hill and run it as many times as needed. After each run, I come home and work on my core. I use an app called "Abs and Core." It gives me a wide selection of ab exercises to do in however long I want to work on abs. I usually set it to ten to fifteen minutes.

Q: What are you doing to stay busy other than run right now?

A: Other than school work, our family has a farm about twenty minutes from our house. Due to it being isolated, I usually will travel there to work on projects with my dad and help out with my grandparents.

Q: What was your most memorable race/moment?

A: The one race I will never forget is our four by four-hundred meter relay at the state championship last year in 2019. Coming into the race, we were sitting in second as a team overall by 3 points. So in order for us to win the race, we would have to place first and the team in first would have to receive second. Our first leg DJ, which had been the state champion in the four-hundred last year and second that year, had done something to his leg and could not run to his full potential. He sure did speed though. Our second leg Paden, really showed out that race too and passed me the baton in first. As the third leg, I was determined to keep the lead for our last leg Santo. I just remember the blood rushing through my body as I went around the first curve. I swear I did not feel anything but grit in these moments. As I approached the curve to the finish, my family was standing there. My grandmother was also screaming. My grandmother was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis about five years before this and went from not being able to walk at all to walking perfectly fine with braces. Hearing her scream my name gave me this inner inspiration to give it all I got just as she had. I let it all go on the last stretch of the race. My unofficial time clocked in at around forty-nine seconds. Santo went on to win the race, and also the team that we needed to get third did just that. We won the 4a State Championship by half a point. I am definitely telling my grandchildren that one.

Q: What was the funniest thing that happened during your running career?

A: The funniest thing I can remember happened in Middle School. I think it may have been on the eight-hundred meter relay, but I had eaten a pack of skittles right before the race and it decided to come up on my last 100 meters. It really did not stop me though. I started sprinting and barfing and did not even lose my stride. The Track coach of the track we were running on actually scolded me because I threw up on their football field, but what was I supposed to do? Take a pit stop?

Q: Who would you consider your biggest competition over your four years?

A: This question is a tuff one because of the many friendly competitions I had over my six years of running. I would have to say that my most long lasting competition would be Zach of Meridian High School. I have known him since about my freshman year, and we have always competed against each other at Meridian races. He has always been a better long distance runner than me, but he always has trouble when it comes to mid-distance where I am the ruler. All jokes aside, I have created a great bond with him that I think will last for a while.

Q: What was your greatest accomplishment?

A: My greatest accomplishment is to give glory to my Savior Jesus Christ. I am blessed to be able to show the world the gift and the passion he has given me. Second to this, I would have to say making it to state in three events (4x800, 800, 4x400) and eventually winning state with my team as well.

Q: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

A: I don't really know if I would change much about my career because it was so fun and pretty successful, but like every person who wants to be their best, I always feel like that I could have put more regardless of the reality.

Q: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

A: I think the biggest obstacle for me would have to be my busy schedule. I am very involved in my school and community thus making it hard to balance my time for training.

Q: What will you miss the most?

A: I will definitely miss my team and the program at NEHS. It has helped shape me into the person I am today. I will also miss the feeling of high school track and field. The feeling of it just brings in so many memories and good thoughts that I will always cherish.

Q: What advice would you give to younger athletes?

A: I would definitely say to pursue your desires. Sprint after what matters to you in life. If the sport that you are involved in means something to you, DO NOT take it lightly. If you give it your all, never quit, and pursue your dreams then success will head your way.

Q: What kind of an impact has your coach had on you and your team?

A: My two main coaches over the years were Coach Mathews and Coach Bremlet. Coach Mathews taught me how to truly "suck it up." He has always been the kind of coach to inspire you to jump through a brick wall and actually find success. He always took time out of his day to come train me when he was no longer our official coach. He made me a better person and a better track runner. Coach Bremlet has also been a great influence on my life. I would say that he has shown so much care for the kids in our program. Since middle school, he has always been committed to doing what's right for his team. The one saying I will always remember is when he will ask, "do you want me to tell you the truth or lie to you." Of course everyone always picked the truth. It just shows you that he is a real and honest man. These two coaches will forever have an impact on my life.

Q: What are your college plans?

A: As of right now, I am extremely undecided. I have recently surrendered to the ministry in February of 2020. Not only has God given me the gift to run fast, he has given me the gift of speaking his word. He has given me the passion to want to make an impact on the generation after me and I can not see myself doing anything else besides sharing his gospel. With that said, I know without a doubt of what I want to do. It is just how I do it that I am confused about. I also have a passion to run track in college, but I want to follow God's calling for my life as a priority. God will open up a door for me in the future where I should go for my education and also my track career.

Q: Who would you like to say 'thank you' to?

A: I would like to say "thank you" to my mom. My mom is the most loving and passionate woman I could ever know. Throughout my track career, she has made it to almost every single track meet that I had, no matter the distance. She would buy track cleats, go get me food in between races, make sure I was at my best, and so many other things. I just realize that many kids do not have supporters like I do in my family. Mom, thank you. Your love and support in me has not gone unnoticed in my life. I love you.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A: If you're reading this and you feel alone, guilty, shameful, without worth, scared, or trapped, there is a saving grace. I once felt that way a long time ago when I was caught up in my mistakes, but have hope. We can always sit at peace at his feet. (John 8:1-11)

Q: Favorite Meal?

A: I am not going to lie. Breakfast for supper is the best thing I could ever eat. Eating pancakes, waffles, bacon, eggs, sausage, and grits. You might as well spoil me with heaven.

Q: If you could be any animal what would you choose? and why?

A: I would be a Chetah of course. They just have this certain respect by people and do not have to be the "kings of the jungle". Oh, and yea their fast.

Q: Your favorite superhero?

My favorite superhero would have to be the flash. I know, I know, "Tyler you're saying that because you like to run". NO I am not. This dude is quite possibly the strongest superhero in all of DC. He can run so fast that he can travel through time. He can beat superman in a race too. Quite honestly, he looks the coolest too. I really wish I was Barry Allen.