Jackson Smith Penn State Track

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Penn State track athlete Jackson Smith has his sights set on qualifying for the Big Ten Championships.

Smith, a native of West Point, New York, grew up in a family deeply rooted in track and field. His father, Michael Smith, and mother, Jill Smith, both competed at Bucknell.

The Smiths have three track athletes in the family: Sydney Smith, who runs at Cornell; Aidan Smith, who competes for Bucknell; and Jackson, who chose a different path by attending Penn State.

Michael Smith, now a high school track coach, played a major role in his son’s development as an athlete. Jackson credits his father for pushing him to reach his full potential and helping guide him to Penn State.

Smith said he chose Penn State because he wanted to challenge himself against the nation’s top competition. He described the move as becoming a “big fish in a small pond,” testing himself alongside elite athletes. Penn State’s track and field program is currently ranked No. 4 in the country.

Smith competes in the 800 meters, training with the nation’s top-ranked 800-meter group. To qualify for the Big Ten Championships, athletes must meet standards set by the coaching staff, who ultimately decide which runners will attend based on their ability to score points for the team.

In addition to his athletic goals, Smith is focused on his academics, studying broadcast journalism. His long-term goal is to work in sports, with a particular interest in college basketball.