By Luke Chouinard
Since the introduction of track and field to athletics at Saint Martin’s University, the program has never had a dominant era in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). Saint Martin’s competes at the NCAA Division II level, tussling with larger schools like Western Washington University and Simon Fraser University for top recruits and a place among the standings.
The tide is beginning to turn for the Saint Martin’s Track and Field Program, as the team sent four athletes to the 2015 NCAA Division II National Track & Field Outdoor Championships. Saint Martin’s junior, Mikel Smith was the most successful competitor of those four national contenders. Smith is leading the program to a new era of contention after his third place finish in the high jump at Nationals in Michigan.
Smith’s introduction to sports began in his home state of Washington, although he spent many of his teenage years in Oklahoma. Smith overcame rough beginnings and slim chances to earn a college scholarship at Saint Martin’s. His dark past has pushed him to achieve the highest finish in Saint Martin’s Track and Field history. “My past has motivated me tremendously because not a lot of people make it through the things I have been through. I just want to prove to people that it doesn’t matter how you grew up, you can always change your outcome.”
Scholarships were not flowing in during Smith’s senior year of high school. He only received one other offer besides Saint Martin’s. Even when Smith finally arrived to college, he faced further volatility during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, as the program changed coaches three times in his first two years. Smith’s first year was spent strength training during a red-shirt season. The junior was appreciative for the extra year to learn and improve, and it gave him an additional year with his current jumping coach Burke Bockman, to whom he attributes his success as a jumper. “The red-shirt year was kind of a good thing because we really didn’t have the jump coach like we have now. So I’m glad I get that extra year of eligibility with Coach Burke.”
As a track and field athlete, Mikel Smith has achieved more than any other member of the program before him. Smith competed in the USA Track & Field Indoor National Championships and was named an All-American for his fifth-place finish. Again, the junior garnered All-American Honors at the USA Track & Field Outdoor National Championships for his third-place finish, jumping 6-11 3/4 , breaking his own school and GNAC records.
The GNAC coaches voted Smith as the GNAC Newcomer of the Year for his efforts. And yet, Smith is hungry for more. “I plan on making it back to nationals both indoor and outdoor. I want to be able to jump 6’10″ consistently.”
Smith’s goals go beyond competing at the division II level, as he has his eyes set on the Olympics. “I also want to be able to try out for the Olympics next year. If I can’t make it next year I can still train and get better so I can by the time the next Olympics come around. I plan on working hard and making sure that I keep getting better every day.”
As Mikel strolls around the Charneski Recreation Center, it is easy to recognize where his success comes from. Smith is in the gym every day, refining his technique, sweating, and improving. On pickup basketball days, the junior puts his phenomenal abilities on display, dunking on unfortunate attendees. He is the only one in the gym that can actually dunk.
Despite his rigorous work-ethic, Smith does enjoy his free time. “I really like to do anything that keeps me active. I like to play basketball, football, playing xbox, going on hikes, swimming, and watching movies.” Aside from his infrequent and rare free-time, Mikel is in the gym, refining his technique, getting better, awaiting his next opportunity to compete.
