STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School cross country and track and field teams are sending two bright young talents to the next level, as Kenny Dean Smith signed on with Millsaps College while Rhett Schimpf is headed to the University of Southern Mississippi.
The two made their choices official on Monday in the Starkville High School library, becoming the latest in a long line of runners from the program to take their game to the next level.
Coach Tory Reeves spoke highly of their abilities and drive.
“We’re gonna miss them,” Reeves said. “Big shoes to fill for cross country and track. Those are two of the hardest-working guys. Really successful, and we hope the best for them in the future.”
Schimpf didn’t know he would end up at Southern Miss until interest came just a couple months ago. He took a couple of visits before considering his offer, becoming another Yellow Jackets alum to join the Golden Eagles in recent years, following in the footsteps of Kate Mattox and Patton Little.
“It’s great to continue the legacy,” Schimpf said. “I really wasn’t expecting to run in college until a month or two ago, and the opportunity came. I told myself if I have the opportunity to go I gotta take it.
“So that’s been my thought process. I’m just really happy to be there.”
Schimpf spoke about his excitement for Hattiesburg and the campus as well as the program, citing the Longleaf Trace, a hot spot for both running and biking.
Meanwhile, Smith will be joining the program at Millsaps, where he not only looks forward to working with the team and coaches but furthering his academic ambitions as well.
“First and foremost, my decision-making process was based on academics,” Smith said. “I really, really loved their bridge program as far as nursing goes, and when I got there and started talking to coach (Natalie Bach) Prather and some of the athletes there, I loved the team environment.
“I loved the people, the coach is incredible, and I just couldn’t speak any more highly of the program from what I’ve seen so far. Some really incredible people, really incredible coaching staff, and I’m really looking forward to it. It just kinda seemed like the fit for me.”
For Reeves, Schimpf and Smith are the latest in a line of very talented runners to have worked with him. He spoke specifically about their commitment to the work they do and their leadership qualities on the team that will serve them both well in the future.
“Both of them, they just work so hard,” Reeves said. “You knew they’d be successful with the effort they put in.”
Starkville High School’s track season comes to a close on Friday with the MHSAA Class 6A Championships in Pearl.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.