DOTHAN, Ala. – This time last year, Dothan cross country/track distance runner Kate Smith hadn’t really thought much about a college career in the two sports.
After interest from Huntingdon College over the summer, she quickly realized it was something she wanted to pursue.
On Monday, Smith, a Dothan senior, signed to participate with the Hawks’ cross country and track programs to continue her running career, which began in the seventh grade.
“It makes it official,” Smith said of signing. “It makes me more excited to go. I am just like a little shaky (right now).”
The Wolves senior admitted running in college wasn’t at the top of her agenda this time last year.
“Honestly I didn’t think I would be running in college,” Smith said. “I always had it in my head that I would be going to Auburn (for academics) or some big school. When they reached out to me and I realized that I could keep running, it was like, I wanted that. I didn’t realize I wanted that. I wanted to continue competing on a team.”
Smith signed mainly to compete for Huntingdon’s cross country team, but she will also participate on the Hawks’ indoor/outdoor track teams. She actually will head to the Montgomery school at a special time as Huntingdon revived its track and field programs this year under head coach Ed Wright, a former all-American at Troy. Though it competed this year for the first time in eight years, the program is still growing its roster base in track and field.
