Keegan Smith, a sophomore at Knoxville Catholic High and the reigning Tennessee 2AA state cross country champion as well as an Eastbay national finalist along with the fastest freshman 5-kilometer competitor in U.S. prep history with his 14:53.79 effort last season at the Southern Showcase at John Hunt Park in Alabama, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss his return to training after a two-week break following emergency wisdom teeth surgery. Smith, who set the freshman indoor mile record by clocking 4:14.63 at New Balance Nationals Indoor along with achieving the fastest outdoor 3,200-meter performance by a ninth-grader with his 8:52.96 effort at the Eastern Relays in Kentucky, also revisits the conclusion of his track schedule by running 8:54.97 in the 2-mile in June at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle, Wash. He shares pride about the range of marks accumulated during his freshman year from 800 meters to 5 kilometers, and the confidence gained from running middle-distance events when it comes to continuing to develop his closing speed for cross country races this fall. Smith also expresses gratitude for coaches Sean O'Neil and Tony Cosey in contributing to his progress, along with how valuable his experiences were racing in larger elite fields last year in order to develop his tactics and strategies. He examines how much he learned from competition at Eastbay nationals at Balboa Park's Morley Field in San Diego, and becoming only the fifth freshman male athlete in meet history to qualify for the championship and his motivation to return this season to pursue All-America honors. Smith also analyzes the depth of rising young standouts in Tennessee and how bright the future is for Knoxville Catholic with several sophomores in its lineup. He also speaks about the potential of Webb School of Bell Buckle sophomore Abby Faith Cheeseman, who also competed last year at Eastbay nationals. Smith analyzes his potential Sept. 17 at the Southern Showcase in his return to Huntsville and the opportunity to improve on the ninth-fastest 5-kilometer effort in Tennessee cross country history.