Steve Smith

Cross Country and Track & Field - Class of 1980

"Steve Smith was an accomplished track & field and cross country athlete. At a time of three-year high school, Steve was a three-time State Champion as a sophomore, (the indoor and outdoor mile champion, and the 2 mile outdoor championship), overall winning 6 individual State Championships in his illustrious career, and he finished 2nd in cross country in each of his high school years. He still holds the current Kansas 6A State Record in the 1600 meter race at 4:13, and holds the second best mile time in Kansas history at 4:05.96, trailing only the incomparable Jim Ryan. Steve was also a member of the high school distance medley relay team which broke the KU Relays record, a record that still stands today. He was a significant contributing member of three State Championship track teams at Shawnee Mission South , and four team championships overall - three in track and field and one in cross-country. He was also a 7-time Kansas All-American. With fellow 2012 inductee Brent Steiner and two others, Steve is part of the 1980 school record 4x800m Relay Team (7:50.7) which ranks #5 all-time in Kansas. Even though Steve holds some significant track and field records, he has said of them, "I really never accounted for the field records, I ran to win and to be viewed as the best." By virtue of his induction into the Hall of Fame, Steve will now be forever remembered as an ultimate winner, and certainly as one of the best ever in Kansas."