Paisley Smith '24 Recruiting Profile

“Just breathe” is my mantra for both running and life in general. I find exhilaration, growth, and a sense of peace in running. I typically wake up every morning before 5am and run or workout, because it helps me get in the right frame of mind to meet the challenges of the day ahead.

What sets me apart is that I work harder than most people. I'm focused, driven, and I never take my eyes off of my goals. Some of my friends like to tease me and call me a "try hard," which I take as a compliment.

Because I'm a try hard, I qualified for Regionals in XC all of the past three years in one of the hardest districts in Texas, twice as an individual and once with my team. 

Because I'm a try hard, I was awarded Women's Runner of the Year, the Women's Endurance Award, Newcomer of the Year, and Most Enthusiastic in XC, the Heart Award and Women's Long Distance Runner of the Year in track & field, Defensive Player of the Year and All-District Honorable Mention in basketball, and Bastrop ISD Athlete of the Month in October 2022 and September 2023.

Because I'm a try hard, I'm Valedictorian (out of a class of 429 students), a College Board National Recognition Recipient, an AP Scholar with Honor, a member of the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa, and I received THSCA Academic All-State 1st Team, Academic All-District, and multiple A Honor Roll awards.

Trying hard only gets you so far, though. I've learned that true strength comes from overcoming obstacles. You don’t just need physical strength but mental strength as well. I've had to face many challenges along the way, and because of them, I've learned a lot about what it takes to be a better student, athlete, teammate, and friend. As I look toward the future, I’m ready to tackle whatever comes my way and “just breathe.”