Southern's Jillian Smith is truly special. At first glance you see a happy-go-lucky, broad-smiling young lady who loves life. She is always positive and kind, warming up anyone around her with that million-dollar smile. She's has a good mix of personality from both parents. From dad, who played football for Toms River South when there was only a TR South and TR North, she possesses the fire that burns inside to fight until the end. And from mom, be kind, friendly and gentle yet wise. Little Ms. Smith is built with good portions from each parent blending very very well. She expresses the side of her mom always, until she steps on the track. Then dad takes over.
The wisdom of mom is there, but the two-headed monster from dad pops up in between the lines on the track. Jillian loses her smile just before the gun. She looks at her opponents as though they are dinner. As the gun goes off she begins to devour them like a delicious meal, delicately and slowly. Like a good steak, Jillian cuts her way through the competition until she's free to put them all away effortlessly. When she's finished the smile comes back as she turns and waits for any teammate that may be in the race or just to shake hands with her competitors.
Jillian has truly shown the class of person she is in spite of being head and shoulders above the competition. She wins with grace and is always thankful for kind or encouraging words. Following in the footsteps of former Southern Regional standout Danielle Tauro, Jillian has truly kept the tradition of quality middle distance runners going for the Rams. Southern Regional has won the coveted indoor High School Millrose Mile for three years straight. That has never been done before by any school. Jillian not only won the Millrose Mile at the Millrose Games in New York, she won the Boston Mile in Boston the week earlier to solidify early in the post-Tauro days that she is for real.
In the 800 meters, Jillian is chasing one of New Jersey's oldest records, held by track standout Joetta Clarke of Columbia High School. Joetta ran 2:04.5 back in 1979. Yes, Joetta was well ahead of her competition then, which is why her record has stood for 28 years. At the Nike Outdoor Nationals, Jillian was in great position to break the record. But knowing Coach Z (Southern coach Brian Zatorski) the way I do, he teaches his athletes to win with dignity and class, not to break records. Jillian does that very well. Now that the season is over and the record still stands I am almost certain Jillian will attempt to take the record down before her high school career is over.
Just knowing that Jillian has the talent needed to break the 28-year-old record is and should be enough for track fans all over New Jersey to know that every time we watch Smith run the 800 meters outdoors we could be watching history. Joetta Clarke went on from Columbia to the University of Tennessee and had a stellar collegiate career. She also represented the United States in two Olympics as well. It is exciting to know that Jillian has the opportunity in front of her to have much of the same.
I must admit, knowing the the 800-meter record could fall next season has me peaked and ready to cheer Jillian on with each race wondering, "Will today be the day the record falls?" Stay tuned to Darren's Notebook and I promise if you're not there when it goes down, I'll be sure to let you know how she did it!