- January 15, 2025
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DR. PHILLIPS — Dr. Phillips senior Jamari Smith isn’t particularly outspoken or loud.
His drive, though, speaks volumes.
“My thing is, I’m a competitor,” Smith said on Monday afternoon, just days ahead of the FHSAA Track & Field Finals in Jacksonville. “It don’t matter what race it is. I want to win.”
That competitive nature is part of the reason why Smith, who may not necessarily even be the fastest guy on a roster loaded with speedsters, has become so integral to the success of the boys team at Dr. Phillips — a team regarded as a legitimate state-title contender in Class 4A at the meet, which will begin Friday.
“Jamari Smith is our leader — he’s a senior, he’s our 400-meter runner, and he’s our core,” Panthers head coach Jorge Fleitas said. “The team builds around him.”
It is really saying something that Smith has become so integral to the team when you consider that the senior, who also played cornerback for Dr. Phillips on coach Rodney Wells’ football team, has only been running track since his sophomore year. Encouraged by his grandfather to give the sport a try, Smith recalls not being sold on it right away.
“I got out here and I was like, ‘I don’t really think this is my sport,’” Smith said.
What changed his mind, though, was the competitive atmosphere within the program. Practices may just be practice for some teams, but for the Panthers — with the competitive egos and the level of talent present — it might as well be a state meet at times.
“Everybody out here is actually in a competition, like we’re actually running a race, but it’s just practice,” Smith explained. “Of course, we always want to push each other.”
The results have been tangible. Dr. Phillips has placed first in seven events this year and second in the other two. The Panthers are regional champs, and Smith ran a personal-best 00:47.46 in the 400 meters at last week’s Class 4A Region 1 Meet to take the regional title.
As a member of the 4x400 and the 4x800 relay teams for Dr. Phillips, Smith was part of two regional championship performances — one of which, the 4x800 meter relay — set a program record time of 7:49.72.
“At DP, there’s so much talent that has come through so you want to be the best,” Smith said. “You want to be that top person to say, ‘That was me; I was in the record books.’”
Smith will run in college for Florida A&M University and said that, as much as he wants to win gold in Jacksonville this weekend, his first concern is to enjoy the moment and stay within himself.
“My mindset going into the state race is run your race,” he said.
The following individuals from coverage-area programs will be competing at the FHSAA Track & Field Finals in Jacksonville on Friday and Saturday.
Dr. Phillips boys
Emare Hogan
Chris Bradshaw
Jamari Smith
Mike Macon
Alvin Bryant Jr.
Vernon Walker
Dr. Phillips girls
Shayla Douglas
Adajah Irving
Haille Walker
Annika Sison
Iyanna Ardis
Jah-Nay Anderson
India Moon
Jovani Culver
Alahni Wood
Ketondra Cuyler
Ocoee boys
Darryl Gay
Ocoee girls
Monefa Thomas
Laniya White
Makayla Holley
Nathalya McMillon
Chloe Newton
Olympia boys
Kyren Hollis
Annile Williams
Macon Rodier
Olympia girls
Sharneicia Clark
West Orange boys
Eddie McDoom
West Orange girls
Janae Taplin
Foundation Academy boys
Kiande Phillips
Lester Axson
Gabe Walker
D’Angelo Byers
Ty Johnson
Noah Johnson
Windermere Prep boys
Chris Granjean
Michael Stones
Mathews Peres
Franco Martins
Rayan Rafae
Windermere Prep girls
Danielle Hercules
Kelly Rowswell
Alexa March
Emily Begovich
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Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].
