Monett speedster heading north to Central Missouri

By Jared Lankford monettsports@gmail.com

A gifted athlete at Monett, senior Vayla Smith, saw her hard work rewarded this season with a national letter of intent to run collegiately for Central Missouri University in Warrensburg.

“Vayla has been the heart and soul of our sprinting and relay core since she has been here,” said Kelly George, Monett track coach. “At the end of the season, I gave her the Most Valuable Runner award because of her work ethic. She gave me everything she had every day.”

Smith, a fierce competitor, said she began to believe college was a possibility when she ran the 400 in less than 60 seconds as a sophomore.

“When I broke 60 seconds, I knew that I could be a better runner,” Smith said. “I really embraced training and focused on getting faster.”

George noted that there was never a doubt about how much pressure Smith put on herself to be the best.

“I don’t remember a race where she wasn’t almost sick caused by the pressure she put on herself,” George said. “I always knew I was going to get her best.”

For the speedy senior, that pressure was due to a desire to win.

“In the 400, you have to go all out,” Smith said. “You push yourself to go past what you think your limits are. There are mental hurdles that you have to overcome, and I don’t let them stop me.”

Smith credited her coaching not only from George, but personal coach Chad Clifford, along with step father Bobby Brink and father Parris Smith.

“Coach George was awesome, and I owe her a lot of credit for helping me grow,” Smith said. Coach Clifford and both of my dads all ran the 400 and the provided me with the proper training to mentally become a good runner.”

George noted that Smith’s out-of-season preparation will pay off in college.

“She eats the right way and is always training,” George said. “Her work ethic is something that stands out. She does those things you have to do to improve outside of the track season. In college, that is a must.”

Smith had options when it came to making a college choice. Missouri Southern in Joplin and Evangel in Springfield courted the Monett senior, but Central Missouri felt the most like home.

“I wanted to get the college experience and be a little father from Monett,” Smith said. “The campus, town, facilities and coaches at Central Missouri just clicked when I visited. It felt right. I felt comfortable, and that was a big factor in my decision.”

Smith plans to major in psychology and become a clinical psychologist. She is the daughter of Parris Smith and Zoe and Bobby Brink.