Meet Your Mighty Titan: Shannon Smythe

As cross country runner Shannon Smythe, a T.C. sophomore, and her teammates packed onto the bus home from the regional competition, her spirits were low. She thought she had placed 16th, just missing the cut for states. “I [set a personal record] and was accepting of my place but I felt like I had let everyone down,” said Smythe. When her coach Mike Hughes stepped on the bus he shook her hand and presented her with a box containing a medal. “I wasn’t expecting it at all,” said Smythe. It turned out there had been a mix-up and she had in fact placed 15th, qualifying for the State Cross Country Championships. “She’s such an amazing runner, it’s no surprise she made it to States,” said Kathryn Hendley, Smythe’s cross country teammate. The championship took place on November 14th, where she placed 38th out of over 100 runners. Cross Country is not Smythe’s only activity though; she also plays basketball and soccer for T.C. She goes above and beyond the expectations of a high school athlete, playing soccer, softball and running track for club teams year-round. “She is one of the most chill people, even when the pressure is on,” said Smythe’s soccer teammate, Elaine Bledsoe. Smythe has shown herself to be a dedicated and impressive athlete for all seasons.