College

Freshman

Ran numerous 5k’s and 8k’s throughout the year … Got like 19th in a D3 8K race with a time of 29:50 … Holds a personal best of 4:30 in the 1,500 meters and doesn’t want to talk about his other times.

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Sophomore

Got a watch tan.

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Junior

Ran a 1:21 half marathon… Smiled

 

High School

Ran Track for four years and Cross Country for three … Didn’t take running seriously until Junior year ... Has many, many achievements ... Won the “Most Improved” award twice … Led the mile for the first three and a half laps at Regionals and then finished fifth … Made State his Senior year in the 3,200 meters ... Was the Captain of the two person cross country team his Senior year.

 

Personal

Son of Steve and Brenda … Is a brother to a brother and two sisters ... Born and raised in the beautiful state of Kansas ...  Hobbies include running, listening to country music with the windows down, pretending to know how to play the ukulele, getting A’s in all of his classes, and being around people ... Aspirations include but are not limited to being able to function on less than six hours of sleep consistently, learning how to play the ukulele, breaking four minutes in the mile in medical school, and becoming fluent in Spanish ... Holds a strong belief that mangoes are best enjoyed after a long run in the heat, and that milk should be drank whole.

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Dedication

If you’ve ever been to a KU Running Club practice or event, you have surely met Ross Smith. Always the first to greet club members with a warm smile and an engaging conversation, Ross was the club’s social butterfly for his four years of leadership. Without a doubt, the welcoming attitude Ross put forth was critical to the building of the club culture we now enjoy today. Whether it be a shy newcomer looking to make some friends, or an experienced runner looking to improve their times, Ross always kept new members coming back for more. For this reason, the club’s exponential growth over the past four years can without a doubt be tied back to Ross and his positive attitude. Building the club from the ground up, Ross was a key architect in what the club has become today. Leaving on a legacy of friendship, kindness, laughter, and hard work, his impact will be felt for the remainder of the club’s existence. As Ross moves on from the running club, we are each eternally grateful for the hard work and care he put into the development of the club. From all of us to you Ross, thank you.

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“Ross is a really cool guy. He’s going to make a great doctor one day. Super friendly and easy to talk to and perseveres through setbacks.”

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“Ross was one of the first club members I met and one of the biggest reasons I kept coming back for more. The energy and passion he brings to everything he does is infectious.”

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“Thanks for being a smiling face every day at running club. You have a gift of making everyone feel very valued.”

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“ross is a special guy. he has a strong head on his shoulders and he doesn’t let anything get in the way of his goals. he lives his life the way i only hope to live my life—truly making the most of every single day and every single opportunity. he is thoughtful and caring and it doesn’t ever go unnoticed.”

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