Cobb Cherokee In The Game High School Sports Magazine

In this age of email, texting, instant messages, Facebook, My Space, Twitter and the myriad of other “essential” cyber communications, you would think a high school senior without a personal computer or an unlimited talk cell phone plan would be cut off from all social circles. That is, until you meet Nicole Smith, In the Game’s Academic Athlete selection from Creekview High School, who uses a unique alternative form of communication to foster and maintain an enriching social life. Without the distractions and expense of staying cyber-connected 24/7, the cross country and academic standout has mastered the lost art of good old-fashioned, live, personal conversation.  When conversing with the effervescent “scholarjock,” Smith’s maturity and determination are most apparent.  The senior reveals a depth of character, personal discipline and determination that portends a stern but loving home life.   

Because she learned the value of a strong, positive work ethic in her most formative years, Smith has used her God-given talents to the fullest during her high school career and is poised to take the next step in her academic life on a college campus next fall.

The second of three girls, when asked how she is able to maintain her high academic standard for approaching 12 years, Smith replied, “My dad has always pushed us really hard.  His rule is that if we don’t have all As, we can’t do other stuff.”

Her 3.8 GPA might lead some to surmise that Smith is “just a brain” and school is simply easier for her. Smith knows there’s more to it than that. “God has given me a lot of ability,” she says. “He’s given me a really good brain (but) it is the work (ethic) that that has led me to be able to use that ability to really succeed.”

Given her staunch work ethic and drive to succeed, it’s probably a toss-up as to who is happier for her success, her teachers or her current varsity coach, Ty Brown. “Nicole is a fantastic young lady,” he says. “Dedicated is the best word to sum her up. She commits to her family, studies, athletics and work. Nicole’s focus at practice is a great example to not just the girls on the team, but to every athlete that observes her performance.”

Smith’s introduction to sports came early as she tried her hand at gymnastics, which morphed into more concentration on tumbling as she started cheerleading. “I kind of realized that cheerleading wasn’t for me because the whole ‘girlie stuff’ just wasn’t me.”

Naturally athletic, Smith tried softball at age eleven and played into middle school until she landed her first job at 14.  “When I got into high school I started running and I realized that I was really good at it and that I wanted to make something out of that, in my life. I started track my ninth-grade year. I didn’t start cross country until my sophomore year.”

Although he knows his philosophies about certain influences cause Smith and her sisters to sometimes walk a path less traveled, Gene Smith appreciates the results that his daughter’s upbringing has produced. “She’s always been really good and determined to do her best at everything,” he says.

The Smith girls have never missed a day of school or even been tardy. Asked how she has time to excel in school given her work and sports schedule, Smith explains, “Managing my time has always been a big part of my life.” Regarding her good study habits, she says, “Whenever I get home that’s my first priority - to get my homework done, and then do anything else I need or want to do.”

Smith enjoys competition. Her success has garnered her a bit of a following from many of her Creekview classmates. According to Brown, “Students that are not on the cross country country team have asked me in the hallway about Nicole’s performance and potential to place at State. Teachers that know Nicole love her attitude and studious attitude. For example, Nicole’s French teacher nominated her for a scholarship based solely on Nicole’s fantastic attitude and dedication to the class. She has a large support base, needless to say.”

Smith hasn’t always been at the top. When she started cross country, she was third on the team. Smith remembers her 5K times being “in the 21:30s.” One of the two girls ahead of Smith was one of her best friends. “I said it then, ‘I don’t want to be third place my whole career,” Smith says.

Last year, Smith battled her friend regularly for the top spot. In this, her senior year, Smith has stepped up to lead the team with personal encouragement and by example. Smith is ranked first in the county (Cherokee) and third in the region, with a personal best of 19:13.  She credits her teammates for the strong influence on her development. ”Teammates get you through so much,” she says. “Especially on those days when you’re like, ‘I don’t even want to try, I don’t feel like running.’ You’ve got your teammates there and we all love each other and we just want to see each other do well.”

Smith appreciates her coaches’ influence on her development as well.  She is effusive in her praise for her former coaches, husband and wife Tom and Connie Armstrong. “The Armstrongs have loved me and brought me through so much in my life, and Coach Brown has done the same thing this year,” she says.

Asked if she’d ever consider coaching, Smith says, “I would. I would love to be able to be what my coaches have been to me, to someone else.” Describing her desire to inspire the younger junior varsity girls on her team, Smith’s passion is evident. “I want them to see that I didn’t start at the top,” she says. “You just have to work hard to get to where you want to be.”

That about sums up what drives ITG’s November Academic Athlete.

Her parents enjoy and support Smith’s passion for running. But her father is quick to remind her about the fleeting uncertainty of athletics. “I’ve always told her, it takes one broke ankle or leg and you’re out,” he says. “You don’t need to put all your eggs in that basket. She’s took that to heart and made sure she keeps her books up.”

Smith is probably one of the least cyber-distracted students in the county. Because of her father’s perspective and opinion about personal computers, the Smiths do not have a computer at home. “The one thing that has hindered them is that I don’t allow computers,” he says.

Gene Smith recounts their regular trips to the library for the girls to do their assignments.  Like the rest of the family, Gene Smith is very strong in his Christian faith. Most of Nicole Smith’s extracurricular activity beyond cross country, is done in various service capacities through her church. “We’ve always made sure that they understand who their prayers are to, and who their savior is. Yes, we’re going to do things wrong, but this (God) is where your forgiveness comes from,” Gene Smith says.

Nicole Smith has worked since she got her first job as a waitress.  Her father is understandably proud of her sense of responsibility. “She’s really good at saving her money,” he says. “She paid for her own truck and her own insurance. And the stuff she wants to do, she pays for it.”

Nicole Smith was in third grade when she decided she wanted to be a teacher. As she prepares to decide on a college, she is even more confident about the career choice she declared some nine years ago. She is officially beginning her preparation to attend Young Harris College in the fall. ITG