Media Room
Press ReleasesJune 17, 2008
Smith Inspires Youngsters To Run, Jump And Throw
Jessica Smith wants young athletes to know she wasn't born with a pair of track spikes on her feet. In fact, her path to track and field success was forged relatively recently after youthful forays into a variety of sports and activities.
"When I was in elementary school I did highland dancing, played soccer and studied piano," says 18-year-old Smith, whose recent personal best and 800-metre winning time of 2:05.48 at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon gave her a qualifying standard for the upcoming world junior track and field championships in Poland.
"I did those through most of my elementary years and into high school. I had also been running for fun through elementary school but I didn't join an official club until Grade 10. That was when I decided I really wanted to try to continue with running and I had to put my other activities aside. But I think all the activities I did as a youngster helped me to become the athlete I am now."
Smith was relating her athletic history to a group of Vancouver elementary school students as part of a presentation of RunJumpThrow, a grassroots program developed by Athletics Canada and presented by B.C. Athletics. The program focuses on the basic skills of running, jumping and throwing - integral not only to track and field but to many sports. Exposure to these skills at a young age can give children a foundation with which to enjoy many physical activities, now and later in life.
Smith, who is a certified RunJumpThrow instructor, will be busy on and off at the track at the June 21 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. On the track, the North Vancouver teen will contest the women's 800 metres as part of a competitive field that includes national and international veterans, including Canadian record holder Diane Cummins.
Off the track, Smith will be helping at the Jerome meet with an RJT presentation slated for 1:15-2:15 p.m. Children aged 6 and up are invited to come down to the infield with a parent or guardian and participate in the RJT session. Sign-up is at the north end of the track, near the 100-metre start area, at 1 p.m.
This year's Jerome meet also features a series of elementary school relays as the meet not only celebrates and encourages athletes preparing for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Beijing, but also young athletes who may one day be Olympians.
"When I work with the kids I try to convey the same attitude as I have when I am preparing for a race," says Smith. "You have to stay positive. I try to motivate them to always try. I hope kids continue with sports because I know that I probably wouldn't have had nearly the experiences and met the people I have met if I didn't stay involved in sport. It is such a great thing.
"In terms of competition, the Jerome meet is a pretty big meet. I am running against really fast athletes and I think I'm one of the youngest athletes in there. So I have to go in and stay positive and enjoy the fact that I am competing at this high level."
Smith recently completed her freshman year at Simon Fraser University, a most successful campaign that included her winning the NAIA indoor and outdoor 800-metre championships. A year ago she also enjoyed international success by taking the silver medal at the Pan-American junior championships in Brazil in what was then her personal best time of 2:07.27.
She was surprised to shave nearly two seconds off that personal milestone at the Prefontaine Classic.
"It felt so comfortable, I was really relaxed," she says of her recent 2:05.48 best. "Sometimes those breakthroughs come that way. My last PB at Pan-Am juniors last year seemed a real milestone. When I saw the time at the Prefontaine I thought: 'Wow, did I really do that? It's really fast.'"
Smith concedes her next goal is simple: "I have to run faster."
"It's all about trying to get a little bit better. You have a breakthrough and while you enjoy the achievement you then start thinking about what might be possible down the road. I've progressed really quickly so hopefully I can keep on improving."
For more information on RunJumpThrow programs contact RJT coordinator Thelma Wright: (604) 333-3554 (runjumpthrow@bcathletics.org)
The 25th annual Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic goes Saturday, June 21 at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. Tickets and meet information are now available through the meet website at www.harryjerome.com.
For media inquiries contact:
Diane Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com or (604) 261-6220
For athlete information contact:
Marek Jedrezejek
marekj@interchange.ubc.ca or (604) 822-6259
or
Doug Clement
dclement00@hotmail.com
