Kennedy Smith races to 2nd place at the Texas A&M High School Inv.
Q&A with Kennedy Smith
TXMileSplit catches up with The Woodlands top hurdler Kennedy Smith. Smith ran only one indoor meet, but was able to race to an 8.59, which lasted all indoor season as a Texas top 5 indoor time. Smith is off to a great start to her senior outdoor season as she won both of her hurdle races last weekend, with both ranking as TX top 10 performances. Check out our Q&A and get to know Kennedy Smith.
TXMS - Are you going to New Balance Indoor Nationals?
KS - No. I had originally planned to but my team has a meet planned on the same day and I couldn't bring myself to leave my teammates.
TXMS - You had a very good indoor season, what are some of the things you really worked hard on or focused on for your preparation for the season?
KS - If I'm being totally honest, I didn't really do anything other than the normal workouts and training with my school team. I only competed in the A&M indoor meet so I was thrilled with my time and that it ranked me at number 2 in the nation at the time. I love indoor but I didn't want to overdo it with outdoor season so close.
TXMS - The girls hurdles has been a very elite event for Texas for the last several years, and this year is no different. You are ranked #5 in Texas for indoors and should be considered one of those elite hurdlers. What was it like knowing that you would be in a group of talented and DEEP field of capable hurdlers this season?
KS - The thought of being ranked in the top in the state used to seem so far fetched to me. I remember my goal going into high school track was to make a varsity meet before I graduated so the fact that I have been able to accomplish this makes me happy beyond explanation.
TXMS - It makes good entertainment for those of us who love Texas track and field, but what does your mentality have to be knowing that you could be one of the fastest female hurdlers in the nation, but if you make one thousandth of a second mistake you could end up not even qualifying for the State meet?
KS - I definitely understand this struggle! Last year I placed third in the 100mH at Regionals. I didn't qualify for state by a one hundredth of a second. Knowing how intense the competition is only makes me that much aware of every move I make and after falling time and time again, I learned to appreciate every chance I get to run and do what I love.
TXMS - At the Regional final last season, you were in a good position in the 100h but just missed making it to state getting out leaned at the line. What did you take away from that experience, and have you thought about that race over the off season?
KS - I learned that leaning your head does not correlate to leaning your chest and in no way helps you get across the line any faster! After looking over the race video about a hundred times I realized the flaw behind my head leaning tactic. My dad (who is my coach) has drilled the concept of a good lean into my mind over the last six months, so hopefully I have learned!
TXMS - You are kinda serious into the cheer leading scene and you are a cheerleader at The Woodlands. Compare and contrast the two sports and if so, what do you use from cheer leading to help you in track and field.
KS - I actually quit cheer two years ago. I did competitive cheer for 11 years and school cheer for 4. Cheer and track were both during the same class period so that made it impossible for me to be in off season track. It made starting track season very difficult because I felt like the whole time I was playing catch up. Junior year I didn't try out for cheer so it was my first time actually being able to go into the season feeling prepared. Cheer definitely helped me with my flexibility over the hurdles and my tumbling skills for when I fall and need to roll and get back up quickly!
TXMS - What got you started in track and field and more specifically hurdling?
KS -My grandpa was the 1954 state champion in the tall hurdles, so hurdling was passed down from him to my dad and then to me.
TXMS - Which event do you like the best (100h or 300h) and why?
KS - The 100H have always been my main focus and passion but I have come to realize that I have the most room to improve in the 300H and that excited me and makes me look forward to them now (which is surprising because longer distances are NOT my thing).
TXMS - If you could be a specialist at any other event in track and field, what event would it be and why?
KS - Probably the 200 just because it really is the perfect distance for me but I've never gotten the chance to run it because of my focus on the hurdles and relays.
TXMS- You signed to continue being a student-athlete at Texas A&M University. What was it about A&M that led you to sign with them?
KS - I had been looking at schools in other states like Tennessee and New York but when I visited A&M I immediately felt like I was at home. I grew up only an hour away from the University so aggies had surrounded me my whole life. I got along with the coaches really well also so I just knew it was the right move.
-BONUS Questions-
TXMS - As an athlete are you superstitious? Do you have any meet day or warm up rituals or special practices?
KS - In 7th grade I saw all these girls around me doing these stretches and taking their time getting into their blocks. I didn't know what to do so I got in my block and then cracked my back to make it look like I was doing something. I'm not the superstitious type but I haven't gone a race without cracking my back yet so I don't want to change things up now!
TXMS - If you could live anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
KS - Africa, because I have always been fascinated with the culture.
TXMS - What is on your playlist when you're warming up and getting ready for your events?
KS - Kanye and Beyonce. Kanye gets you pumped up and Beyonce gets you ready to slay ;)
TXMS - What does your race day breakfast consist of?
KS - Eight chicken minis from Chick-Fil-A... kind of another superstitious thing and they taste so good
TXMS - Whataburger or Sonic?
KS - I'm from Texas, this shouldn't be a question... WHATA!
TXMS - Beyonce' or Taylor Swift?
KS - If you know me you know that I am the most avid bee in the Beyonce B-Hive. Taylor Swift is irrelevant.
TXMS - Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans, why?
KS - This is a tough one because my dad loves the Cowboys and so do I but my mom was a sports reporter for the Texans for years... If it came down to it though I'd probably say Cowboys.