- - -
We're less than two months away from National Signing Day for cross country and track and field athletes, but already we're starting to see some dominoes fall.
Middletown (OH) High School senior Conant Smith, currently ranked No. 5 on the MileSplit50 in cross country, announced his commitment to Arizona State University late Wednesday on Twitter.
Smith will be able to officially sign with the Sun Devils on November 14.
In return, Arizona State is getting a versatile distance runner with fantastic credentials. Smith started to emerge in his sophomore season, though he produced his breakthrough cross country campaign last year, producing a career best 15:00.10 for the 5K at his conference championships before scoring a runner-up finish in Ohio's Division I championships.
Smith went on to finish third at NXR Midwest and became an All-American at Nike Cross Nationals, finishing eighth on a soggy, wet course in Portland, Oregon. This season, Smith should be looking for his first state title in cross country.
On the track Smith is ever improving, with an 800m PR of 1:56.04, a 1600m best of 4:12.90 and a 3200m best of 9:14.04.
Smith spoke to Ohio MileSplit on his decision:
Stay tuned for more track and field recruiting coverage throughout the fall on MileSplit.com.