By Travis Sloat

Athletes have to deal with life situations just the same as everyone else. They are not immune to injury, heartache, or tragedy. But they have to learn to deal with and overcome whatever they are up against. Silas Smith, who is a junior at Grove High School, has had to deal with two very tough situations in the past year. But he knows that healing is an important part of the process.

“My mother, Francis Smith, passed away in June of 2021,” he recalled. “My grandmother, Betty Jane, who helped raise me, passed away just two months before that. That was an extremely hard time in my life. But it is important to never let your wounds and scars be a crutch for why you cannot try your best.”

Silas is a member of the Ridgerunner golf team. He says that he has loved the game from a very young age and has a golf legend as someone that he looks up to.

“I have played legitimate golf since the seventh grade, but I have loved the game since I was two years old,” he said. “I know it’s a cliché, but I definitely look up to Tiger Woods. Ever since I was little playing with my store-bought plastic set of clubs, my mom would call me Tiger Woods and that always boosted my confidence when I was younger. Also, as a guitarist in a band, my biggest influence would be Synyster Gates from Avenged Sevenfold.”

Silas knows that as an athlete he has to work hard to be his best. But he also knows that there is always more work that can be done.

“Honestly, I never look at myself as successful,” he said. “My game can always become better and better from middle school to even in the future. But that’s what makes me hungry to keep improving.”

Along with golf, Smith is also in weightlifting and yearbook at Grove. He also enjoys playing music.