BC Future Stars: Meet Benjamin Smith!
We're excited to continue our BC Future Stars series here at MileSplit BC! This week, we're shining the spotlight on a dedicated young athlete who's been making his mark in both cross country and track and field: meet Benjamin Smith!
A proud member of the Thunderbirds Track and Field Club, Smith also represents Templeton Secondary during the high school season. Over the years, he has showcased his talent in numerous cross country and track meets, establishing himself as a rising talent in British Columbia's running community.
The 2024 season has been one of growth and achievement for Smith. In the 1,500m, he captured victory at the VSSAA Preliminaries with a time of 4:26.27 and followed it up with a strong second-place finish at the Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships, clocking in at 4:25.76. His strength in the 3,000m was equally impressive, as he claimed top honors at both the VSSAA Preliminaries (9:20.05) and the Vancouver Sea to Sky Zone Championships (9:36.48). At the BC School Sports Track and Field Provincial Championships, he placed 12th in the Junior Boys' 3,000m, finishing in 9:37.94.
Smith's cross country performances have been equally noteworthy. In 2023, he placed 6th in the U16 Boys' 3km at the BC Athletics Provincial Cross Country Championships, posting a time of 9:44.50. Most recently, he opened his 2024 cross-country season by winning the U18 Boys' 5km at the Festival of XC with a time of 16:21.7, securing victory by a 15-second margin.
The future is bright for this talented runner-keep an eye out as the season continues to unfold!