Senior sprinter Julius Smith will run his final race this weekend at the Brutus Hamilton Invitational at the University of California.  He has been a part of the track and field team for two years and basketball program for three years.  Smith reflects on her journey as a student-athlete at WJU

Why did you choose William Jessup University?

I came to William Jessup because I viewed it as an opportunity to break new barriers and put myself in the best possible position to be successful in attaining my degree and participating in collegiate athletics.

What have you learned from running for Head Coach Parker Daniells?

My time here running for Parker has shown me that you can have a relationship that is deeper than athlete-coach. Parker has shown me that no matter what the result may be, giving your all and the glory to God supersedes any victory you could earn. And that is the beauty of his coaching style is he genuinely cares about the well-being of his athletes and wants them to excel on and off the track field. 

What was your favorite memory from your Track and Field career at WJU?

My favorite moment that I had from my 2 years of doing track would have to be the relationships that I have gained with all my teammates. Going in I didn't know half of the people personally. Through time and long days at practice and meets I can honestly say that we have garnered friendships that go past the sport.

What are three traits that helped you get where you are today?

Perseverance, Faith, ambition

If you had one piece of advice for future Warrior student-athletes, what would it be?

I would tell all future athletes to have a healthy balance while being here at Willy J. Allow this institution to work in you, and in turn it will begin to work through you. I think as being an athlete transitioning into the real world, I fully realize the important of academics, so I would advise that all student-athlete focus just as much on the student part as the athlete side of things.

What's been your greatest experience as a student-athlete at WJU?'

One of the greatest moments that I would have to say that I was a part of was the 2012-13-basketball team and how we came together as a brotherhood to accomplish something special. With the guidance of Coach Bussell and Coach George Hernandez we were able to turn our season around from 1-13 to winning the Cal Pac conference when nobody thought that we would.

What will you miss most leaving WJU?

I genuinely don't know if I will miss anything; just know that I will always look back with a fond admiration of my time here at this institution. When you fully take in the experience as a whole I don't think you ever miss it, you just always remember your time.   

How have you integrated your faith into running?

Running track when you have never done it before in your life is difficult in itself. I think we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be successful immediately, instead of giving the glory to God and enjoying the process. It's been a blessing to be able to run track in college and none of this would have occurred without the grace from God.

Who had the greatest influence on your life to get you where you are today and why?

As cliché as this may sound, my immediate family has been my biggest influence/motivation for where I am today. My mother and father have instilled in me the qualities that they thought would put me in the best possible position for success. Being that my younger brother attends UCLA and aspires to be an ophthalmologist, I look up to him in more ways the he knows. They have always believed in me when others lacked faith, and I know that I can turn to them in any situation and they will support me with no hesitation. For that they have my invariable love and admiration.

What are your goals after WJU? 

After I graduate from WJU, I will continue my educational endeavors and peruse my Masters in Communication Studies.