Elite Runners Smith, Gilley Racing the Nation's Best
By Zach Warner
The Southlake Journal
Although in different phases of their athletic careers, Carroll runners Neil Smith and Trevor Gilley carry a common goal this week: a chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Both stars for the Dragons in cross country and track, the two runners qualified to compete in the New Balance Outdoor Nationals that takes place Thursday through Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. The two were selected with other top runners across the nation for the track-based event because of times they posted during the track season.
While Smith graduated from high school earlier this month and prepares to continue his racing career at Oklahoma State, Gilley just completed his freshman year and holds a promising future in athletics at Carroll.
"Now they're facing the best of the best from all 50 states," said Carroll coach Justin Leonard, who has instructed both runners as head cross country coach and a distance running coach for Carroll track. "No matter what happens, everybody's there for a reason, and that's to run their best race.
"It's a great opportunity to push yourself, so we're excited to see how they do," he said.
Making his first appearance at a national track event, Smith is slated to compete in the Elite 5K event, the Elite two-mile, and the Emerging Elite 800. Gilley, who has posted some impressive times in his age group, plans to compete in the Elite Freshman Mile and the Emerging Elite two-mile.
The Carroll freshman runner has turned heads and caught some national attention this past season. The times Gilley posted have him ranked as the top male freshman runner in the country in the one-mile event. He was clocked at 4 minutes, 18 seconds in the 1,600.
"I know it will be a very fast race and we'll have to go out hard," Gilley said of the one-mile event. "The rest of the group will be pushing hard. Runners will have to run in the low 4:20s to have a chance to finish towards the front. My goal is to beat the event record of 4:23."
Smith aims to finish his high school career on a high note. His top priority is to make a run at a top finish in the Elite 5K event and to place well in the Elite two-mile. Anything he accomplishes in the 800 will be the icing on the cake.
Although Smith had achieved heights in cross country, this was his first season to reach the 5A state meet in track. Posting a time better than 9:10 at state allowed him to qualify for competition at the national event.
"[Competing at nationals] means a lot," Smith said. "I've had a lot of injuries the last couple years during my track seasons. This year, I've been able to stay injury free and I've been able to post those times because I've stayed healthy.
"That's one of the main reasons I'm [competing], just to get that extra experience," he said. "You don't get the opportunity in high school to run against so many good runners in the same setting."
Leonard expects the involvement in the national event to pay dividends for both runners no matter what the results. But he also believes both can experience success while there.
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