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| Smith '14 |
Speed is a passion of people. We love fast cars, we love fast boats, but most of all, we love fast people. Guilford sophomore Johnathan Smith has speed, and lots of it. In his rookie year he became Guilford’s first track & field athlete to reach the NCAA Championships. He went on to win All-America honors in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. During the upcoming indoor season, he will also run the 55- and the 60-meter races.
“My favorite is the 200,” said Smith. “Towards the end guys start to get tired and that’s when I start to speed up.” Smith made his aptitude for the 200-meter obvious at the 2010 Old Dominion Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships when he won the event and helped Guilford to a fourth-place finish.
Smith then placed second in the event at the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championships by a mere half second. He also set the school record in a qualifying heat with a time of 21.15 seconds. Smith also earned All-America status in the 100 by finishing sixth with a time of 10.98 seconds. He holds Guilford records in both events
With such lofty times some might wonder why Smith didn’t try to ply his trade at a Division I school. Smith made it clear his unaccomplished goals at Guilford were the reason for his return.
“Winning a championship was a big incentive,” said Smith. “We’re building a team from the ground up and I want to help put Guilford on the map.”
For his sophomore season Smith’s goals are equally lofty. “I want to go to nationals again and try to win a national championship,” said Smith. To this end Guilford sprint coach Marcus Bell has a goal for Smith’s improvement.
“We want him to get down to 10.5 in the 100,” said Bell.
Smith, a West Coast transplant by way of Conyers, Ga. came to Guilford to get his art degree and because of the scenic campus. Art was Smith’s first passion as he only picked up track his senior year in high school. As for his interest in art, Smith enjoys web site design and plans on making that his career.
“I want to work in web design and design websites for companies,” said Smith. Smith worked with the Kaiji Foundation out of Mclean, Va., on building their website design. Smith has also crafted flyers, posters, and made CD covers for various music artists and events. Smith is currently working with fellow Guilford students Travis Robinson and CJ Green on a T-shirt designing project called Unique Critique.
“This is serious for me for the future,” said Smith. “Right now it’s getting off the ground, but if it gets big, it will be a job for me after college.”
Though his graduation date is far removed, Smith still has an eye on his future as a runner. “I’m interested in running professionally,” said Smith. “It’s just all about making the times.”
This is not going to be an easy step for Smith according to Guilford head Track & Field Coach Bill Cason.
“Right now there’s a level of training out there he doesn’t even know about,” said Cason. “He has all the physical tools. He’s got the DNA, but he’s got to work much, much harder.”
Story By Will Cloyd
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