Senior runner Wayne Smith closes out his brilliant career this weekend at the Brutus Hamilton Invitation at the University of California. He has been a part of the cross country and track program for three years.  He helped lead the Warriors to three straight Cal Pac Championship while earning All-Conference honors.  He reflects on his journey as a student-athlete at WJU:

Why did you choose William Jessup University?         

I chose William Jessup University after tragically losing my original university. The combination of the fellowship I felt from the cross country team my freshman year at the NAIA National Championships despite being competitors, as well as the friendliness and knowledge of the business department staff is what ultimately led me to choose William Jessup University.

What have you learned from running for Head Coach Parker Daniells?       

I have learned the rewards from hard work while running for Coach Parker (he hates being called coach). In his training regiment, you get out what you put in. It was highly rewarding to see the fruits of my labor this past year in cross country under the coaching of both Parker and Jacob Rydman. I am really appreciative of these two men.

What was your favorite memory from your Track and Field career at WJU?        

Easy. My first track race of my college career at Jessup. There were three of us racing the 1500 meter race (myself, David Cummings, and Thomas McAtee). We were consistently around fourth through sixth place for the whole race. In the last lap, all three of us made a move at the same time and ended up finishing one, two, and four. It is the only race I have ever won and it was a great feeling to have my teammates by my side.

Who had the greatest influence on your life to get you where you are today and why?        

I am going to cheat and choose four people who have had the greatest influence on my life today. They are Steve Gillette (my first cross country and track coach in high school), my grandfather John Smith, Christian Wichmann (my current teammate/ accountability buddy), and my assistant coach Jacob Rydman. All four of these men have been there for me in hardships, have seen me at my lows, and yet, have been continual support for me to press on towards my goals: both in running and in life. I am truly grateful for each of these men and am truly blessed to have (had, in the case of my grandfather) them in my life.

What are three traits that helped you get where you are today?      

Three traits that have helped me get to where I am today are perseverance, determination, and faith. There are a lot of hardships that runners deal with on a daily basis, both physically and mentally. You can't be successful in cross country or track without developing a strong sense of perseverance. The best way to develop that is to find the strength and determination to succeed and overcome any obstacle in the way. Lastly, all of this comes with faith: faith in your coach, your God, your teammates, and in yourself. These three things have aided not only my running, but my life as well.

If you had one piece of advice for future Warrior student-athletes, what would it be?        

My advice for future Warrior student-athletes: go hard or go home. What do I mean by this? You have to commit to what you do in all aspects of your life: your studies, your friendships/relationships, your athletics, your faith, etc. If you don't "go hard" in an area of your life, then why do it? Be confident, persevere, and finish the race set before you. James 1:12

What's been your greatest experience as a student-athlete at WJU?

This is easy. The greatest experience as a student-athlete is winning three straight championships with the greatest group of guys I have ever been around: my teammates. They are my family, my boys, and my everything. Nothing compares to achieving a team award with a bunch of guys committed to excellence and discipleship along the way.

What will you miss most leaving WJU?

Once again, my team is what I will miss the most able WJU. It is the greatest community I have ever been a part of. My love and blessings goes out to them, to the amazing coaching staff, athletic administrators, and future Warriors who join the wonderful family of the cross country and track and field team.

How have you integrated your faith into running?

Running is a battlefield. While running, you experience pain, joy, hardships, doubt, success, let down, awards, and other things that in the moment are hard to manage. Life is the same way. What I have discovered over the years is that the same God that allows me to overcome life is more than capable of giving me the strength to persevere through a five mile race or a fourteen mile run. My integration of faith and running is what has inspired my life motto and verse: "Through obstacles, climb higher-James 1:12"

What are your goals after WJU?

My goals are after WJU are to 1) pay off student loans as soon as possible, 2) land a job in the sports administration industry, and 3) find a way to stay athletically and competitively active.