SPORTS
Catching up with Guilford speedster Jehnathan Smith
11
JANUARY 27, 2012
SMITH GOES ABOVE AND
BEYOND IN TERMS OF
DEDICATION, TEAMWORK,
AND SPEED
By CJ Green
Staff Writer
Crowds of people watch as a group of
men position themselves into a sprinter's
stance. They are all perched like statues
waiting for their marks, ready to make
their own.
As a gunshot rings out, the men launch
from the line all headed for the finish
where either glory or defeat awaits.
This sounds all too familiar for
sophomore Johnathan Smith.
The Guilford speedster has been finding
much success with his top class work
ethic and undeniable leadership for the
Quakers.
"(Johnathan) has taken a group of
sprinters under his wing and has embraced
the role of leader very well," said first year
track coach Marcus Bell. "(Johnathan) is a
motivator that leads by example."
Smith finished second in the 200-meter
dash and fifth in the 100-meter dash on the
national level last season.
He also claimed All-American honors in
both events, making him the first sprinter
in Guilford College history to do so.
"Well, I try not to get big-headed when
it comes to being one of the top national
runners in track in Division III, said Smith.
"I'm proud of my achievements thus far
and I still wish to aim higher."
Smith also holds the Quaker records for
the indoor and outdoor 200-meter dash in
with his fastest time being 21.64 seconds.
He also holds the 55 and 60 meter
records and is only .05 seconds away
from breaking the Guilford record in the
outdoor 100-meter dash.
"He is a very hard-working athlete
that other athletes can look up to for
inspiration," said first-year football player
Daniel McFaddin. "He is in a class of his
own.
The competitive aspect of the sport is
something that can make or break an
athlete. For Smith he looks for solace in
his teammates and coaches to push him
forward.
"When people have a lot of faith in
you it makes it easier to progress and get
better," said Smith. "Watching all of my
teammates hit times like ten second flats
(in the 100-meter dash) really motivates me
to get better."
Smith's work ethic is considered one
of the best by many of his teammates and
coaches. With the work he is putting in,
many believe Smith to make a name for
himself beyond the collegiate level.
"'Comet"'(Johnathan) is a very hard
worker who always gives one hundred
percent at every practice to become the
sprinter he desires to be," said Coach
Bell. "He aspires to compete on the elite/
professional level; and if he continues on
the pace he is on, 'look out, world'"
With the college track and field outdoor
season around the corner, much of the
Division III world will be keeping a close
eye on Smith and his sophomore season in
a Guilford uniform.
"Everyone is going to have their own
opinions, but if I were to choose, I would
like for them to think of me as someone
who has worked hard to get into the
position that I am now," said Smith.
Even with all of the hype and expectations
this season. Smith stays levelheaded and
ready to compete. You can anticipate this
spring he will capture more All-American
awards and break a few more records.
"When people have a lot of faith in you, it makes it easier to
progress and get better."
Johnathan Smith, sophomore at Guilford College
s>m-
I
Opening up in athletics: homophobia in athletics today
By Thomas Deane
Staff Writer
Being part of a sports team forms friendships and
bonds that can last a lifetime. With so much time spent
together, players are with each other more often than not.
But what if a teammate had a secret about their true
sexuality?
Lately the sports community has witnessed several
athletes coming out about their sexual orientation. We
have seen former NBA player John Amaechi recently
come out, and top rugby player Ian Roberts recently
revealed his sexual orientation to teammates.
When asked about insinuated "uneasy" locker room
issues with teammates, Roberts said to The Weekend
Australian Magazine,. Every gay sports person should
get up and say something if this kind of stupidity is ever
raised again. It's offensive."
What kinds of tensions can this put on the bond
between teammates?
Sophomore lacrosse player Trey Atkinson does not
believe there will be any long-term tensions.
Of course it would be a little weird at first (to have
a teammate come out), but in the end, they are still my
teammate and whether they're gay or straight, it doesn't
affect how they play on the field," said Atkinson.
One could assume that maybe one of the hardest things
for an individual who is struggling with their sexuality
is to actually work up the courage to "come out" to their
teammates.
Homosexuality in sports is one of the more taboo
subjects in modern society. It can be very difficult for
players to talk about homosexuality or acknowledge it
because it is largely absent in the locker room.
Lately, there has been a new wave of support for
homosexual athletes.
New York Rangers forward Sean Avery hopes to break
down some of these barriers experienced by "closeted"
athletes. Avery has openly supported gay athletes, and
has even gone as far to say he would be in the locker room
when an athlete decides to tell their teammates.
"I'll stand beside him in the dressing room while he
tells his teammates he is gay," said Avery in an interview
with Outsports.com. "Maybe if Sean Avery is there, they
would have less of a problem with it."
Avery hopes that if more professional athletes recognize
and support gay athletes, the stigma that surrounds it in
the locker room would disappear.
Although Avery has been one instance of a pro-athlete
standing up for the rights of others, NBA All-Star Kobe
"I don't think any of them are truly
homophohic; they're just uneducated
about the issue."
Ben Chadwick, student of Bowdoin College
Bryant has done the opposite.
In a game during the 2010-11 season, Bryant became
upset at a call and mouthed the word "faggot" towards
the official. Bryant was fined $100,000 for the incident.
Many athletes' best friends are on their team, so if an
individual were to come out to a best friend on the team,
would they out them to the rest of the team?
Quaker swimmer Kendra Medina does not believe so.
"I would respect wishes to keep it a secret on her
terms," said Medina.
If the person were to come out to the whole team,
Medina added that she would ensure that everyone
treated her equally.
"I would support her in any ways she needs," said
Medina.
A sports team's locker room can also be a home to many
homophobic slurs. ,
Sophomore rugby player Marley Carroll noted the
prevalent use of these slurs. j
On any given day, you can hear guys calling each
other 'fag', or 'homo'," said Carroll. He added that the
use of these words can really deter a person from coming
out to teammates.
"When a person who is thinking about coming out to
teammates hears these words on a regular basis, it may
make them reconsider coming out," said Carroll.
In the Miami University hockey locker room, student
team manager Brendan Burke came out to his teammates.
Burke, who recently died in a car accident, received
nothing but support from his teammates.
Ben Chadwick, an openly gay lacrosse player at
Bowdoin College in Maine, does not believe athletes are
necessarily all homophobic.
I don t think any of them are truly homophobic,
they're just uneducated about the issue," said Chadwick.
Many athletes have never dealt with a teammate being
openly gay. Because of this, many athletes do not know
how to react if a teammate were to come out to them.
As the issue gains momentum in the world of sports,
communication remains the key. A better understanding
in the athletic community about the struggles many gay
athletes have had to endure along with the employment
of a more endeared support will aid those that cross that
barrier to rid themselves of any apprehension.
If you or anyone that you know is struggling with
this issue please contact the sports department at the
guilfordiansports@hotmail.com and speak in confidence.