Science Hill

Science Hill distance runner, Todd Smalling, is a remarkable young man.

Whether he is on a local news channel being interviewed regarding an educational issue or giving a written analysis of the Southern Illinois vs. Creighton basketball game for a national sports network or winning a prestigious cross country invitational; make no mistake, Smalling has it together. How together?

Smalling has a 4.0 GPA while taking Advanced Placement courses.

He scored 1580 out of 1600 on his SAT and is a National Merit Scholar.

This past fall, he was the Wendy's Heisman Award winner, awarded to the top male scholar athlete in Tennessee.

In cross country, Smalling was ranked in the top 10 in the South during the 2005 cross country season and was selected All-American by "The Harrier" magazine.

Todd was also a three- time conference and region champion and a three-time All-State performer and the defending sectional champion in the 3200 meter run.

Smalling is about to embark on a new journey in life when he signs with North Carolina State University, this Thursday at 1pm, at Science Hill High School.

The "Wolfpack" cross country team has won 9 out of the last 11 ACC conference championships under the guidance of its coach, Rollie Geiger. N.C. State returns their entire varsity lineup and hopes to challenge for the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championship.

As part of signing with N.C. State, Smalling was one of fifteen out of state recipients to receive the Park Scholarship. The Park Scholarship is one of the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship programs in the country offering research and study abroad opportunities in addition to faculty mentoring and leadership building activities. Park Scholars are chosen based on scholarship, leadership, character and service.

I had a chance to interview Todd this past Monday and here is what he had to say:

What was your recruiting trip like to N.C. State?

My trip to N.C. State was unbelievable. It was the first visit of a 3- week period where I visited N.C. State, Virginia and Colorado. I went in ranking N.C. State number three but the visit changed everything. I felt so comfortable with the guys who were some of the coolest kids I have ever met and I just loved Coach Geiger and his super accomplished assistant coaches as well. It helped that we were treated very well. I loved the restaurants and food and the basketball game versus Georgia Tech. Personally my environment and my fit and how I feel about a place overall was very important to me and N.C. State won the battle over the other schools (Colorado, Virginia and Georgetown) as it just felt like home.

What impressed you most about Coach Geiger?

The personal relationship he has with all of his athletes interested me the most. Yes, he is probably the best coach to ever coach cross country and track in the ACC but it was his genuine care for all of his athletes and hearing about how special he treats each runner that made me the most impressed with Coach Geiger.

Is the makeup of last year's team mostly returning?

Yes, the top three runners all red-shirted and will have an extra year. Bobby Mack is an All-American cross country runner and Wesley Smith, 2nd at Foot Locker to Wisconsin great Chris Solinsky, are both back, as is 2004 ACC freshman of the year, Gavin Coombs. John Crews was 12 seconds back from All-America honors this fall and returns as well. All of those guys have at least two years left. The goal is a podium finish.

What are your training plans for this spring and summer?

I hope that orthotics and switching to motion control shoes, as well as my "flare out" problem with my feet, will limit my arches from collapsing and my severe pronation that has contributed to all my foot problems over these last few years. I plan to start running this week, taking a few easy weeks to get back into it. Then I hope to have 10 weeks of good base and entering N.C. State in better shape than ever before. I might cross train a little to save some pounding on my legs too. Crazy 8's is a possibility as is hopefully working out some with Griff Graves this summer, if he wants to train a little with me.

Can you reflect on your emotions of not competing at this time?

I guess one part of me says, "this sucks, why me?" But that is pointless and not beneficial to me or anyone else. God has a plan for everything and this injury has led to insights about my problems with my feet and perhaps why I got hurt this past fall. I want to win state so badly and feel like I deserve one after doing so well this fall, but at the same time I know my time will come and the opportunities will be great at N.C. State. I can't complain with anything, really, since I made such a big breakthrough this fall after the anemia. Sure the days of the state meet and Nike Outdoor will be very hard but I've been through it before this past fall during the Foot Locker meets. I just hate that I'll never know what I could have accomplished on the high school level if I had corrected my iron problems earlier and had I not gone through these injuries. That's the toughest part. But I do wish all my fellow Tennessee runners the best this spring and beyond.

Can you reflect on the Park Scholarship and are you planning to go abroad?

Well the Park is truly and amazing program. I never saw myself winning it, let alone being one of the 100 nationwide finalists. These kids had near-perfect SAT scores and were very involved in their school and in the community and were all great leaders. However, the finalist weekend went great and now I will have what many believe is one of the best under-grad experiences in America. Having the total package altogether paying for everything, including travel and personal experiences is great, but being able to enjoy leadership building and famous speakers and faculty members and trips/retreats across the country and free research and free study abroad is what makes it really special. I will leave school with a great network of people and with great opportunities. I am very grateful for the award, as is Coach Geiger who now has some more money to spend on other athletes. In effect, I helped another runner get some athletic aid and I think that's very cool. And yes, I hope to study in England or Australia during the summer or summers. Got to have great running areas though!




In life, one may experience a lot of peaks and valleys. Todd Smalling has certainly been through a lot in just one year.

As I've stated in previous columns, prior to his injuries, he was probably one of the top 10 high school cross country runners in the country. He was running that good.

Through all of the highs and lows, Todd credits God and his family for bringing him to the point where he is at today.

His faith reminds me of a scripture in Isaiah 40:31:

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.

Believe me, at this time next year, Todd Smalling will be at North Carolina State University running better than ever.

I wish him all of the best.