For the past 10 years, Michael Smith has been coaching at Shadow Ridge, leading the Track and Field Team with dedication and passion. This past cross country season marked both his first and last year as head coach, following the stepping down of Andrew Flynn and Mark Jimenez.
Many students will deeply miss Smith, as they have spent years training under his guidance. During his time coaching at Shadow Ridge, Smith accomplished a great deal, helping develop countless state champions, both as a team and as individuals. With his guidance, many athletes found success through his intense and demanding workouts designed to push them to improve.
Smith said, “I have so many proud moments of being a coach. Of course, some might think it’s winning state multiple times.” He continued, “However, it’s really the process and the daily grind that create those proud moments. To see all the hard work an athlete puts in to get a PR is just amazing to watch. Track is a sport where you put in months and years of training for a 10–11 second 100m or a 2–2:20 minute 800m. There are no redos, and as track and field athletes, they train to make the most of those seconds. There is nothing like it.”
Some of the best memories were made on the track during tough practices, where athletes pushed themselves to their limits. Smith said returning to the track everyday to improve takes dedication—“only if you’ve got that dog in you.”
Smith also reflected on what he will miss most about coaching. “What I’m going to miss the most about coaching is everything. Don’t get me wrong, I spend so much time trying to improve myself as a coach, improve the program, and improve all my athletes, but every single step in the process is needed to be successful. In order to be successful, you have to enjoy the good times and the bad times. I always joke to my athletes that I won’t miss them. However, I will miss them all. I have memories of each athlete from the past 10 years. I will also miss all my coaches. If it wasn’t for them, this program wouldn’t have been what it is. It took all of us to make it happen.”
Although many athletes will greatly miss their coach, his impact on the program will not be forgotten. Every athlete who benefited from his leadership will carry those lessons and memories with them. All of the hard work and dedication he put into the team did not go unnoticed.
