Sandpoint sprinter qualifies for 2024 New Balance Indoor Track & Field National Championships
Sandpoint sophomore Isaac Schmit competes at the 44th annual Simplot Games held Feb. 15-17 at Idaho State University’s Holt Arena. Roughly 2,200 athletes from 19 different states, Canada, and Australia traveled to Pocatello to compete in the invitational.
Photo by Cynthia Schmit
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint High rising star Isaac Schmit, in his first indoor track and field season, has qualified for the 2024 New Balance Indoor Track & Field National Championships set to be held Mar. 7-10 at the TRACK at New Balance and the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston.
Schmit, a sophomore, decided it was time to take his track career to the next level this winter by joining the Spokane Speed Academy, a youth track and field club that regularly produces athletes who compete at the highest level. Before Isaac even joined the club, head coach Cecil Jackson said he had already taken notice of Schmit's talents.
“I noticed Isaac during the Junior Olympics summer season, he stood out in the sprints,” Jackson said. “To my surprise, he showed up on Spokane Speed Academy's roster — a great surprise I would like to add.”
Jackson said Schmit jumped right in with the team and has done all that was asked of him and more.
“Indoor sprinting can be a huge adjustment for a high school sprinter; Isaac has handled the adjustment just fine,” Jackson said. “He's a joy to have in the program and he takes on the rough workouts with a willing spirit.”
It looks like the workouts have been really paying off for Schmit. During his freshman year at Sandpoint, he posted a personal best time of 24.01 seconds in the 200-meter dash. Recently, he dropped that time tremendously at the Spokane HS Invitational held Jan. 21 at The Podium, splitting a time of 22.77 seconds on one of Spokane Speed Academy’s 4x200 meter relay teams that qualified for national championship. Among the 4x200 meter relay team Schmit will be competing with in March is Dominick Corley, a Mead High standout who is ranked amongst the top in the country.
About 15 of Spokane Speed Academy’s athletes, including two middle schoolers and a freshman, will compete at indoor nationals this year. Schmit is the only sprinter from North Idaho to qualify, which is not all too surprising considering he is slated to be one of the fastest sophomores in Idaho this spring.
“He has that drive and desire to get better, something all the greats must have,” Jackson said. “I'm happy to see his hard winter work paying off for him and his teammates. The trip to Boston will be an eye-opening experience for them all.”
Schmit said he is more than excited for the opportunity.
"The opportunity to go to nationals is definitely one of the greatest things that has happened in my life thus far,” Schmit said. “The indoor season has been a fun and amazing experience. I have been able to compete and train with some of the best in the nation while practicing on a world-class track. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and parents for helping me become the best athlete I can be — I don't know where I would be without them."