Smith repeat TN Gatorade #1 runner; No. 13 in Charlotte

KNOXVILLE — Only a sophomore, Keegan Smith is building himself a lofty perch among the state’s top cross country runners.

For a second straight season, this talented Knoxville Catholic High School distance runner has been named Tennessee Gatorade Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, it was recently announced.

State meet success

The KIL champion among Knox County’s best distance runners, Smith finished fourth at the Division II-AA state meet at Sanders Ferry Park course in Hendersonville in November (15:31.78).

He was Division II-AA state champion as a freshman (15:29.09) on the same Middle Tennessee course in November 2021.

Top state runner

Smith also has proven himself outside of the Volunteer State.

Among top high school talent in the Southeastern United States, Smith finished 13th — Tennessee’s top performer (15:20.84) — at the Championship Boys division of Champs South Regional 2022 Nov. 26 in Charlotte.