Athlete of the Week: 10 questions with Brian Smith II, North Shore Country Day track

Brian Smith II is a senior sprinter for the Raiders. He holds the school record in the 400-meter run and finished second in the IHSA championships in the race last season.

1. Do you have any pre-meet rituals or superstitions?

So one thing I always make sure to do is jump rope before meets. It’s the first thing I do out of everything. Then I usually do some band work, get my legs going, and definitely some hurdle drills. The day before a meet I do medicine ball throws: behind the back, forward chest pass, to activate my legs. 

2. What do you hope to do next year?

I definitely plan on running track in college. I’m looking for a college with an aviation major. I do love track, but I believe that my education is also very important. For me, I guess track is the secondary priority. 

3. Why aviation?

I guess it all started when I watched “Top Gun: Maverick” and believed it was pretty cool. My parents enrolled me in a program OBAP, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. It was a weeklong program. … Also I was able, on the last day of week, to take my first flight, fly on my own. Ever since, I’ve always wanted to fly. 

4. How did you get into track?

My first experience was probably during elementary school. I think I was in fourth grade. Every year there would be a track meet, when we were living in Evanston, at (Evanston Township High School). That was basically my first real encounter with competition, and then during high school, that’s really when I started to commit to it. During that time, I was more of a baseball player than a track runner. For three years, I alternated baseball and track, which was very interesting but I was able to manage. 

5. Why did track become your sport?

I really love the thrill. I really love the development. I could see the physical development with my times going down, from freshman year to now. I’ve been able to go to Adidas nationals, two AAU olympics and Arcadia (Invitational). It’s opened me up to possibilities for great competition across the United States.

6. What has been your top moment so far on the track?

I would say probably when I won the indoor state championship in the 400 in 2024 and in 2025. I’d say also going to Adidas nationals, and finally breaking 50 (seconds) in indoor was a really a big accomplishment for me. 

7. What is your favorite thing to do off the track?

I like to build Legos. It’s a passion I like to do. And I like to watch TV, play video games.

8. If you’re in Walgreens with a couple bucks, what are you buying?

I’m buying Pedialyte. I need to be hydrated. Definitely some Skittles or Gummy Clusters, just in case. After (running the) 400, it’s very costly. I need to get my energy level back up. The third one would probably be tart cherry juice. It helps with lactic acid.

9. What is something people don’t know about you? 

One thing I like to do is model aircraft. Me and my dad started a project, we have a miniature city and a whole bunch of model airplanes and a couple trains, Amtrak. It’s sort of like being a little architect. 

10. What do you hope to accomplish this season?

Last year, I came in second in the 400 state finals and definitely this year I am hoping to win that title and also qualify for the 200 and the 100. … I definitely have hopes up for 200. I want to bring that (time) down. But I’m happy where I’m at and know more is yet to come. I’m hoping to break 49 (in the 400) as well, get in the 48 range. 

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