Clarksville, Ark.-Hannah Smith runs and then runs some more. All school year. She studies and then studies some more. All school year. Her arduous running regiment and laser-like focus in the classroom has paid off for the junior from tiny Blue Eye, Missouri. Smith, who runs cross country in the fall and indoor and outdoor track in the winter and spring, has made a name for herself, all while excelling in the classroom.
Her dedication has brought her more attention than she probably wants. Among her individual accolades include the President's List, American Southwest Conference (ASC) All-Academic Team, All-Conference, ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, ASC Runner of the Week and participant in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Regional.
"She is extremely focused," said head coach Jeremy Provence. "She doesn't make excuses. She is really driven on doing the best she can whether it is in the classroom or in races. She is passionate at whatever she does."
In track, she owns every modern day record, including the indoor (19:23.48) and outdoor (18:44.16) 5,000-meter. But it is an unlikely event that may catapult her into the spotlight at the conference championships. Smith recently took up the 3,000-meter steeplechase, an event she had never ran before. The inexperience didn't seem to faze Smith. She won the race at the Southern Arkansas Invitational and then placed second a week later at the Little Rock Invitational.
"I knew she had a chance to be good in track," said Provence. "She has a lot of talent. In the last year and a half, she has improved a lot. After having some success last season, she started believing in herself."
Provence believes Smith has what it takes to qualify for nationals.
"I'm confident if we keep doing what we are doing, she will be right where we need her for nationals, whether it is this spring or next year," he said. "I think she will have a chance to qualify in cross country and one of the events in outdoor track. She has made a tremendous amount of progress."
The rigors of running are demanding, but the two-sport star takes it all in stride and Provence believes her drive to succeed is a result of an inner competitiveness.
"I saw the competitiveness in our first time trial of her freshman season," said Provence. "I could see her drive. You can't coach competitiveness and drive. An athlete either has it or doesn't. She is not one to say much, but you can see the toughness and competitiveness in her. It doesn't matter the race, she will fight for position. She has expectations for what she does, and she doesn't complain."
Provence is delighted Smith, an accounting major, chose Ozarks.
"She is a great fit for Ozarks," he said. "She is a great example of being a true student-athlete."
This article was published for the Spring 2018 Eagle Insider magazine. To view the entire magazine, click here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/1a48a090-9d3f-471f-86d1-a1d4f35fbe4e
