After helping Bears capture state titles in track and field as well as cross country last year, Arkansas signee won’t get to experience final prep race at home stadium after state meet is canceled for first time since 1945 as a result of Coronavirus pandemic

By Ciera Sesock for DyeStat

Corie Smith knows the euphoria that is connected to being a California state champion, winning both individual and team titles during her decorated career at Buchanan High.

The Arkansas signee also knows the feeling of disappointment associated with not even having a chance to step on the starting line at a state final.

After helping Buchanan win its first girls state track and field team title in program history last year and leading the Bears to their first state cross country crown since 1994 in November, those achievements have also become the last high school memories Smith will cherish when it comes to competing at a state championship.

That’s because Smith won’t have the opportunity to race one final time Saturday in the 3,200-meter championship at Buchanan’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, site of the CIF state track and field meet since 2009.

Just like every state throughout the country, spring sports were canceled in California due to the Coronavirus pandemic, marking the first time since a four-year absence from 1942-45 as a result of World War II that the state track and field championships would not be contested.

“I think you never really imagine it ending like this,” said Smith, who also missed the 2018 state cross country final because of illness before returning the following week to race at Nike Cross Nationals.

“I could always say, ‘I'll do better next year,’ but this year I never got my last chance. It’s incredibly disappointing not being able to toe the line and prove yourself one last time, but everything happens for a reason and you can only grow from this.”

Smith had participated in six state finals during her prep career, capturing the Division 1 cross country individual crown in 2017, in addition to contributing to both team championships last year.

Instead of Buchanan trying to become the first girls track and field team to secure back-to-back state titles since Long Beach Poly in 2013-14, the Bears only got to compete in three meets in February and March, before the spread of COVID-19 forced CIF officials to make the difficult decision April 3 to shut down competition for the rest of the school year. Stay-at-home orders from California Governor Gavin Newsom were also issued, as Smith completed the remainder of her academic requirements online.  

“Winning back-to-back state titles is a huge accomplishment. They mean a lot more to me now because those were my last state championship races and I finished my high school career as a two-time state (team) champion,” Smith said. “I would’ve loved to have finished out my year on my home track with all my friends and family cheering me on, but I’ve been able to accept that it’s the end of my high school running career, even though I definitely wish it ended the way it should have. Even though I didn’t get a track season this year, I still had an amazing last track and cross country season.”

Ever since she finished fourth in the Division 1 cross country championship race and seventh in the 3,200 state final during her freshman year, Smith has been working diligently with Buchanan coach Brian Weaver in order to achieve even bigger goals.

“I attribute all of my success to Coach Weaver,” Smith said. “I definitely don’t think I would be anywhere near as good as I am now without him as my coach. I have some natural talent, but (coach) Weaver really pushed me to be the best runner I could be and he gave me the confidence to believe in how good I am.”

Once Smith experienced the breakthrough performance of winning her first state title in 2017, becoming the first Buchanan athlete to capture the Division 1 girls cross country championship since Hagen Reedy in 2011, Weaver knew she had finally recognized her potential in the sport.

“In the beginning Corie did not know how special she really was, not until her sophomore year in cross country did she realize it,” Weaver said. “As with any athlete, there are highs and lows in training and racing, but Corie’s commitment pushed her to a different level.”

Smith’s work ethic led her to three consecutive appearances at Nike Cross Nationals, including All-America honors twice, securing 12th in December to lead Buchanan to a fifth-place team finish.

Coach Weaver has been able to see Smith grow as both an athlete and a leader during her high school career, which is why not being able to watch her finish off her last track season was so upsetting, especially after Smith and former teammate Meagen Lowe — now at Oregon State — placed second and third in last year’s state 3,200 final.

“As a coach, it breaks my heart on so many different levels. We never got a chance to say goodbye as everything just stopped with no real closure,” Weaver said. “In coaching and teaching, everyone moves on and you know this, but this year there was no ending.”

Despite the abrupt and unceremonious ending to spring competition, Smith hasn’t rested on past success as she prepares to make the transition to compete for defending NCAA cross country champion Arkansas.

“Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve just been focusing on getting out and running everyday. I don’t start summer training until June, so I’m just making sure I’m staying in good shape,” Smith said. “Obviously now my next chances are going to be different and on a bigger level, so that’s very exciting and nerve racking.”

Smith may have missed out on writing the final chapter she had hoped to author Saturday in the 3,200 state final on her home track, but she will never forget the experience of celebrating with her coaches and teammates on the podium last spring and again in the fall, and what it means to be a part of Buchanan’s championship tradition.

“I do believe that Corie and I have a relationship that will carry on with me supporting her through her next chapter in life,” Weaver said. “Corie has left a legacy at Buchanan and in the Central Section that future athletes will strive for her success.”