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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, June 26, 2009 11:06 PM CDT
Charleston runner headed Down Under

By BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com

CHARLESTON -- Getting a crash course on the steeplechase lately, Aaron Smith also is ready to learn about life in Australian and Polynesian Hawaii as well.

Before his senior school year at Charleston, the All-Apollo Conference cross country runner and 800-meter run track champion is on an American team ready for a two-week tour sponsored by Down Under Sports.

Smith is to leave Sunday for the trip that includes three days of track competition in Australia against Australia and New Zealand teams.

He is the only non-Chicago area athlete on the Illinois track contingent chosen from past performances and recommendations.

“This trip isn’t just athletics,” Smith said. “We’re going to see some of the culture aspects of Australia and Polynesian Hawaii.

“I love competition and to be able do to something I really love while seeing another country makes it even better.”

Smith is scheduled to run in the 800-, 1,500-, 3,00-meter races, the 2,000 steeplechase, distance medley relay and 4x400 relay.

The barriers and water jump in the steeplechase are not part of Illinois high school track but Smith has been working with former Eastern Illinois University distance coach John McInerney on the steeplechase.

“He’s helped me out,” Smith said. “That’s going to be one of the more interesting races. I don’t have a seed in that but none of us will. It’s more of an Australian event. I hurdled a little bit in middle school so I know something about the form.”

Preparation has also come in off-season workouts with Charleston’s cross country team the past four weeks.

Smith should get a break from training in the recent heat and humidity heading to Australia during its winter with temperatures likely to be in the 65-70 range.

Still, he is not expecting anything about the competition to be easy.

“The Australian team trains there the year round,” Smith said. “The kids I’m running against are in pre-Olympic training. They’re taking it seriously.”

Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.

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