CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You know an athlete is truly a student athlete when they say this.
“Right now it’s between engineering and forensic psychology.”
Olympic junior running back Cameron Smith truly embodies both sides of the phrase student-athlete. He’s a great player on the field and a tremendous student in the classroom.
“It really is a challenge to be able to wake up in the morning, do some extra workouts before school, go to school and stay focused and not fall asleep,” Smith said. It really means a lot to be able to say oh I’m smart and be able to play football too. A lot of people aren’t able to say that.”
“He’s a very smart kid, high character, high GPA,” said Trojans coach Brandon Thompson. “It’s been a pleasure coaching him.”
It certainly would be a pleasure to coach a player like Smith, who’s gaudy numbers extend beyond his GPA.
Through 9 games this season, Smith has about 13-hundred yards, averaging 144 yards per game to go along with 10 total touchdowns.
“That kid has gotten significantly better every single year,” said Thompson. “And that’s because of his hard work and dedication.”
And he bleeds Olympic Trojan red.
“It means everything,” said Smith. “This community, Charlotte, not even just Olympic, when Olympic is winning we don’t have problems in school. We’re all just one tight family. Whenever something bad happens we all come together. It’s a really great feeling being a Trojan.”
“He addresses the team a lot,” Thompson said. “He’s very emotional and passionate about football and about his teammates. He calls them his brothers. And that’s what they are.”
And Smith makes sure his brothers always have a good example to look up to.
“I just try to make the right choices,” Smith said. “I know in life there’s a bunch of choices that come at you but if you want to win and want to keep this winning streak going, and you just want to be a great human being not only for your community but for your family, you have to keep focused on what’s really important.”