At Hershey High School, Andrew Smith didn’t exactly set out to become a competitive runner—it just sort of happened.

“I used to run 5Ks with my mom,” he said. “Then one day she told me I was doing cross country… and that was it.”

What started as something simple quickly turned into something serious. Now, Andrew is one of the school’s top distance runners, with a particular strength in the 1600-meter run. “It’s my favorite event,” he said. “Probably because it’s my best one.”

His talent really showed last season. As a sophomore, Andrew ran an impressive 4:33 mile, finishing the race with what he describes as “the best kick” of his life. It was one of those rare moments where everything clicks—training, timing, and confidence all coming together at once.

But behind that success is a routine that requires constant balance. During the week, Andrew’s focus is locked in. “It’s mostly just school and running,” he said. “If I get everything done, then I can relax a little.” Weekends offer a bit more freedom—time to watch movies, hang out with friends, and recharge before the next week begins.

Even with that structure, being a student-athlete isn’t easy. “It’s genuinely really stressful,” Andrew said. “People don’t always understand how hard it is to balance everything.”

That pressure became even more real during the last cross country season. Injuries piled up, and Andrew also dealt with mono, making it one of the toughest stretches of his running career. “It was probably the hardest season mentally,” he admitted. “Nothing was really going right.”

Still, he pushed through. Instead of letting setbacks define him, he used them as motivation to come back stronger.

A big part of that drive comes from his family. “My parents inspire me the most,” he said. “I want to help them out by making college cheaper.” It’s a goal that gives purpose to the early mornings, long practices, and demanding schedule.

Looking ahead, Andrew has set high expectations for himself. This season, he’s aiming to drop his 1600 time into the low 4:20s and run between 1:56 and 1:57 in the 800. Beyond high school, he hopes to continue running at the collegiate level, whether that’s at a Division I program or a strong academic Division III school.

Even with all that focus, some of his favorite memories come from the lighter moments—like pasta parties with his cross country teammates. “Those are always fun,” he said. “It’s stuff like that you remember.”

When it comes time to race, Andrew keeps things simple. No complicated routines—just music and getting in the right mindset.

Through everything he’s learned, his advice is straightforward: “Don’t procrastinate. Just put your head down and work hard. Then you can actually relax after.”

For Andrew Smith, running is about more than times and results. It’s about perseverance, balance, and building a future—one lap at a time.