Kayla Smith

After two State titles and a pair of fourth place finishes at State in track as just a freshman, Valley Heights Mustang, Kayla Smith has started her sophomore track campaign in impressive fashion.

Last week Smith helped paced the lady Mustangs track team to the team title in the lower division at the Republic County Invitational as she won four events. On the track the sophomore sprinted to wins in the 100 and 200 meter dashes behind times of 12.80 and 26.85, while leaping to wins in the long jump and triple jump with leaps of 17’00 and 36’05, respectively.

Smith didn’t stop with her performances at the Republic County Invitational last week as she also headed to the Kansas Relays and competed against several top high school athletes from across the nation, competing in the triple jump and long jump. In the triple jump behind a personal best jump, 37’02.25 took fourth place out of 28 competitors, while placing 16^th in the long jump.

Earlier in the track season Smith brought home a trio of golds in at the Mustangs home Invitational winning the 100 meter dash, long jump and triple jump. At the Nemaha Central Invitational Kayla collected gold in the 100 meter dash, long jump and triple jump and took second in the 200 meter dash.

After winning the Class 1A State titles in the long jump and triple jump and a pair of fourth place finishes at State Smith has her sights set on another strong finish to another track season looking to return to State and compete at a high level again.

(photo from Marysville Advocate)