The starter raises his hand and a few seconds later, the gun goes off as several runners burst out of the blocks. For junior Shanice Smith, this has been a normal routine for several years.
Smith started track in third grade and felt that it came naturally, yet provided something to do.
“It was never competitive, but I ran because it was fun for me,” she said.
Smith moved to Hoover this year from Illinois because of her father’s new job at The University of Akron. She decided to join the track team to make friends and be active, and Coach Kim Hood said that she is a great addition to the team.
“She is an exceptionally strong sprinter with very impressive running technique and remarkable talent,” she said.
Smith runs several races and relays, but her best race is the 200m dash.
“Shanice is sure to bring excitement and possibly record- breaking performances to the track this season,” Hood said.
Being a new student is difficult, but the team has made the adjustment easy for her.
“The kids have a different mindset. They are serious at what they do, but fun at the same time,” Smith said. “[My teammates] show me how dedicated they are, along with the coaches who want the best for you.”
Teammate junior Kelsey Acell, believes Smith is going to be a fantastic sprinter for the team the next two years.
“She loves what she does, and she gets the job done,” she said.