Brady Smith, a 15-year-old freshman at Fannin County High School is making a name for himself by competing in cross country.
Aside from his discipline and motivation, what makes him unique is the fact that he competes in his “hot rod.”
“Back when he was in seventh grade, he just said he wanted to run cross country, so I never even thought twice about it, I just said, ‘alright then,’” Smith’s mother, Ashley Herendon, said.
What got him interested in the sport was a friend who also competes, he said, and his being a part of a team is one of the best parts of competing, along with feeling the motion and wind on his face while running.
“He super likes to win,” Herendon said. “So we always want the team to get some kind of award.”
Due to a busy schedule, Smith practices right after school for about 45 minutes each day.
“They did a phenomenal job in including him and making sure he was a part of the team, so definitely hats off to those kids,” Herendon said since he doesn’t get to practice with the team.
The hardest part of racing, he said, is running up mountains or hillsides.
To get ready for a meet, he practices a lot and listens to country music and pep talks.
Aside from cross country, Smith enjoys CrossFit, especially doing wall balls and running.
Although he doesn’t plan on participating in any other sports at the moment, Smith said he will continue competing in cross country for the rest of high school.
In the future, he hopes to have his own podcast where he can listen and talk about country music.
Herendon encourages other parents with strong-willed children like Smith to never underestimate them or themselves and said, “I will always fight for him. I really don’t like to hear no when it comes to him because he’s gonna hear no a lot. ... If there’s a way, then I’m gonna make it shakedown, and I think that’s important. I don’t think people realize that the sky’s the limit.”
Smith said anyone who is thinking about joining a cross country team should just “come out and try their best and enjoy being a part of a team.”
Naming the best moments competing, Herendon said, “Not only watching the excitement from him but watching people that have nothing to gain but who have supported him and put him first has been amazing. It’s the people God has placed in his life for his sake, or theirs is something to see no doubt. And every day is a gift of life, and that’s what our motivation is – giving thanks to God for literally the breath in our lungs and giving the glory to Him in everything we do.”
Smith looks forward to helping push his team to victory each meet and will continue to put in the work to help his teammates.