April 25, 2024

Creston’s Smith, Shenandoah’s Hoyt sign with SWCC track

Shown at the signing of Raegen Smith for track and field at Southwstern Community College are, from left in front, Carla Smith, Raegen's sister; Raegen Smith, Creston High School senior; and Randy Smith, Raegen's father. Standing, Creston High School head coach Clay Arnold; Maggie Arnold, Creston High School assistant track coach; and Nick Ekel, SWCC track and field head coach. (SWCC photo)

Southwestern Community College’s new cross country/track and field coach, Nick Ekel, hasn’t had much idle time since he landed in Creston. Ekel’s recruiting is paying off though, with the recent announcement that he signed two area track and field athletes — Raegen Smith of Creston and Nate Hoyt of Shenandoah.

Smith joins Justice Post of Des Moines Roosevelt, who Ekel inked the previous week, for his 2015-16 recruiting class. In addition to track and field, Smith signed as a member of the Dazzlers drill team at SWCC.

Smith comes to SWCC from Creston High School, where she was active in cross country, dance team, and track. She qualified to run state track three of her four years of high school. Smith is a member of the National Honor Society and was named the Creston Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Youth of the Year. She is the daughter of Randy Smith of Greenfield and the late Brenda Smith.

Ekel said Creston coaches Clay and Maggie Arnold have done a phenomenal job preparing Smith for what’s ahead.

“Watching competition this spring, it became apparent that Raegen has all of the physical and mental tools to compete at the collegiate level,” Ekel stated. “Raegen will immediately contribute to our sprint corps here and I am thrilled to help continue her development as a track and field athlete.”

Hoyt heads to SWCC from Shenandoah High School. He helped Shenandoah’s cross country team to two top five finishes at the IAHSAA 2A Boys Cross Country Championship meet and finished 17th his junior year.

In 2015, Hoyt was an IAHSAA 2A state track qualifier in the 3200 meter run. He is an active member of the Army National Guard. He is the son of David Hoyt and Della Keith.

Ekel is excited to have Hoyt’s competitive spirit on his team and said he believes with him will come leadership and a great work ethic.

“As a high school teammate of signee Joe Blake, I was able to watch Nate run three times this spring and I was most impressed by his ability to compete within the race,” Ekel explained. “Many people can run, but fewer people can act and react strategically during a race.”