Prefontaine HS Elite 100 Winner Arian Smith Shows It Doesn’t Matter Where You Come From

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

The population of Mulberry, Fla. is roughly 4,000. That small town stigma hasn't stopped Arian Smith from being one of the top two-sport athletes in the nation. The rising senior recently won the Prefontaine Classic high school 100-meter dash in 10.41 seconds, a mark just shy of his personal best of 10.30 seconds.

“It was a blessing,” he said. “I had a lot of fun and met a lot of new friends. It was cool to see guys like Christian Coleman and Justin Gatlin, who told me to just keep grinding.”

A three-star football recruit, Smith has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Florida and Texas A&M and has participated in both football and track from an early age. 

“I always knew I was the fastest in the school and in the neighborhood,” he said. “I really took it seriously in the eighth grade. My middle school coach was like, 'Wow, you are posting high school times already.'”

As a freshman, Smith made it to the FHSAA Outdoor State Finals in the 100 meters, 200 meters and long jump. He came away with his first individual gold medal in the long jump with a leap of 23-7.

Two months ago, he won his first event on the track, winning the 2A state title in the 200 meters. In addition, he placed second in the 100-meter dash and third in the long jump.

What’s his favorite event?

“I don’t really have one,” he noted. “I just love to compete.”

Those impressive performances earned him a trip to the adidas Boost Boston Games and a spot in the field of the Dream 100, where he finished third. That was just the start of the summer travel season for Smith. A week after visiting the northeast, it was back to sizzling South Florida for the USATF U-20 Outdoor Championships with a spot on Team USA on the line.

Smith was second in his preliminary heat with a new personal best of 10.30 and followed that up with a wind-aided 10.36 good enough for third place in the 100. He also finished fifth in the 200 and will compete on the 4x100m relay at the Pan Am U-20 Championships July 19-21 in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The expectations are simple.

“To compete and win of course,” Smith said.

When the fall rolls around he will be attending a new school. After speaking with his mom over the summer, the pair decided the best fit for his senior year would be to transfer to nearby Lakeland High School. 

The Dreadnaughts are a traditional football powerhouse in Florida and have produced NFL talents such as Chris Rainey, Mike and Maurkice Pouncey. Even though football may have been his first love, he has plans at the next level and is quick to silence anyone who may label him as strictly a football guy.

“The numbers and meets don’t lie,” he said emphatically.

From Mulberry, Florida to the largest stages in track and field, Smith embraces the moment.

“I’d tell anyone from a small town that if you want it bad enough, you can make it happen,” he said.