Katie Smee’s journey to State Champion

7 January 2021

Katie Smee’s journey to State Champion

Saturday night’s Hunter Pure Performance Track Challenge will feature four classy local sprinters, three emerging teenagers and the fourth, Katie Smee, 23, the current NSW open 200m champion. Smee’s journey in athletics reminds us of so many talented juniors who are lost to the sport, but some, like Smee, find their way back.

In her teens, Katie Smee made consistent improvement. She qualified for her first CHS/NSW All Schools final at 15-years, then won medals at 16 in 2013 and by 17 in 2014 won two state titles. That year she went to the 2014 Australian All Schools Championships where she placed second in the 100m in a breakthrough time of 11.94.

“It had been six years since my titles at the 2014 NSW All Schools Athletics Championships,” Smee recalled this week. She ran on for a year, but then disappeared from athletics.

“It is crazy reflecting back on why I quit sprinting. At the time, I was one of the top sprinters for my age in Australia. I didn’t consciously make a decision to quit, but I just stopped and didn’t find my way back once I completed high school.”

She did however continue sport.

“For the next couple of years, I played 1st Grade in the Herald Women’s Premier League (football). I thought about returning to sprinting but was fearful that I had lost my previous ability.”

After a few years away from the track she was encouraged to return to the sport.

“I have my partner Jarrod to thank for getting me back into the sport. He has been my biggest supporter throughout this entire journey. In December 2017, he convinced me to train with him and I have not looked back since. In June 2018, I went to the Newcastle Winter Series to compete in the 100m. It was there I met Warren, the coach of my sprint squad family – Top Speed Sports Fitness. His dedication to supporting me and the rest of my squad is incredible. He is so passionate about us performing well and achieving our goals.”

In 2019 Smee made the National senior 100m semi-final and a year later won the 2020 NSW 200m title ahead of Olympian Jessica Thornton and world championship representatives Hayley Butler and Bec Bennett.

Smee reflected on that State title win – the highlight of her career to date.

“At the Canberra Track Classic four weeks earlier, I ran a poor 200m. I was not focused on the track as my dog was undergoing emergency bladder surgery that day. As a result, this was probably the most physically challenging race I have done. I believe this poor performance was vital to me becoming NSW champion. It showed me how important a strong mindset is and gave me the determination to run my best race yet.”

Then in Sydney at the 2020 State Championships she received an unexpected boost ahead of her race.

“On the day of the 200m, my parents surprised me and came to watch me compete. Some of my squad members travelled down too, so I had eight friends and loved ones there supporting me. It was amazing sharing that moment with them.”

After a challenging year, due to COVID, Smee has her first major race of the season on Saturday night in Newcastle.

“COVID was hard on my body last year because I was working more than 50 hours most weeks. As a result, I struggled to train consistently and effectively. A lot of my competitors are full-time sprinters who study part-time. I want to prove to people that you can have a career and be an elite athlete at the same time,” said Smee who is a veterinary nurse at Warners Bay Vet.

“I am so lucky to work with an amazing team who are so supportive of my sprinting. My long-term goal is to quality for an international competition and wear the green and gold.”

On Saturday night, Katie Smee lines up in the 100m against local sprint talent Summah Harrison, Grace Hewitt and Keira McGregor.

EVENT PROFILE

What: Hunter Pure performance Track Challenge

When: Saturday 9 January 2021

Where: Fearnley Dawes Athletic Centre, 120 Smith St, Newcastle West

Time: 3.00pm pre-program, 6.00pm main program

Details: final timetable, entries and more information https://www.nswathletics.org.au/events/83026/

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Images: 14-years 100m final NSW All Schools - Summah Harrison, far left and Keira McGregor, far right. (image courtesy of David Tarbotton)