Southwest Baptist University Commit: Gratitude, Grit, and a Greater Purpose The Journey of Ethan Smith

PREP SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

Ethan Smith — and the gratitude, discipline, and faith that carried him to the next level.

When Ethan officially committed to Southwest Baptist University, the moment felt both surreal and sacred.

“I was extremely grateful,” Smith said. “It was a little strange but also exciting. I’m really excited to compete at the next level and am very grateful for the coaching and opportunities God gave me to be able to do that. It was always something that I wanted out of track after my high school career ended, but it was really strange to actually see that come to fruition when I signed.”

For years, competing collegiately was the goal. When it finally became reality, gratitude outweighed everything else.

Built by the Process

Ethan’s athletic foundation was built long before he stepped into the throwing ring. He spent 11 or 12 years playing football for the Grandview Eagles, developing under coaches who demanded excellence — even when he didn’t fully appreciate it at 10 years old.

“They had us in the weight room lifting and had us doing what felt like super crazy conditioning,” Smith said. “There’s a process to getting better at things, and most of that process is spent being really bad at it — and anybody who knows me knows I absolutely hate the process.”

But that process shaped him.

He credits patient coaches who pushed him through difficult stretches — physically and mentally — preparing him for the demands of college athletics. The lessons learned in the weight room and on the field built more than strength. They built resilience.

Excellence in Competition and the Classroom

Earning both a track and academic scholarship speaks volumes about Ethan’s commitment.

“I think it says I’ve had great role models, teachers, and coaches that pushed me to do my best and have put a lot of time and effort into me to excel in a variety of fields.”

Balancing college athletics with participation in the Honors Program will be a new challenge, but Smith welcomes it.

“One of the advantages to SBU being a smaller school is the opportunity to be involved in a lot of different groups. My advisors have stressed that they monitor freshman burn-out extremely closely. I think it boils down to being disciplined in my time management and making sure I get help when I need it.”

New Challenges Await

At the collegiate level, Ethan is most excited to compete in shot put and discus — events that have defined his high school career. But he’s also looking forward to expanding his skill set.

“My future throwing coach has said that he has all freshmen try the hammer throw. Hammer isn’t allowed for high school in Missouri, so I’m pretty excited to see how I like that.”

For Smith, each new event represents another opportunity to grow.

A Faith-Centered Foundation

When asked who has been the biggest influence in reaching this milestone, Ethan didn’t hesitate.

“The obvious answer that anyone should give whether they choose to acknowledge it or not, is the wholly sovereign God of the Bible. The only reason I am where I am is

because He allowed me to be.”

He’s quick to credit his parents and coaches as well, but his faith remains central to everything he does.

“I firmly believe that God’s given me certain abilities and skills to get me to the places He wants me to be, to get the education He wants me to get, to meet the people He wants me to meet — ultimately to advance the Kingdom of Heaven. That’s my frame of mind not only for track and school, but for life as a whole.”

In moments of adversity, he returns to Esther 4:14: “Yet who knows, perhaps you’re here for such a time as this?”

“Whether physical, mental, or spiritual, I know win or lose, God has specifically put me here for such a time as this.”

More Than Success — A Calling

Unlike many athletes stepping into college competition, Ethan hasn’t set rigid statistical goals.

“I don’t really have any strict goals as of now. I just want to compete, learn, and grow.”

That growth mindset is something he hopes younger athletes take from his journey.

“I hope they understand that the process matters more than the spotlight. Nothing I’ve done happened just because of one big moment. It came from years of showing up, lifting when I didn’t want to, conditioning when I hated it, and trusting coaches who saw something in me before I saw it in myself. You’re going to be bad at things before you’re good at them. That’s normal. Stick with it anyway.”

As Ethan Smith steps into this next season of life, he sees it as more than just a move from high school to college.

“This next step feels like refinement. It feels like God’s gotten me this far, and has made it clear as day — and I mean clear — where He wants me to be and what He wants me to do.”

For Ethan, success at Southwest Baptist University won’t be measured only in distance thrown or medals earned.

“My goal isn’t just success in the ring — it’s faithfulness in the calling.”

And that calling, he believes, has prepared him for exactly this moment.

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