Skeen & Smith Ink with Cavs' Men's Cross Country Offers

March 14, 2007
Courtesy of Sonya Baumgardner of Powell Valley News

Collin Skeen
Landon Smith

Ewing, VA – Thomas Walker's Landon Smith and Collin Skeen extended their cross country careers for four more years last week as they as they became the eighth and ninth Pioneer harriers to sign college deals in the last 10 years.

The duo, who have been teammates and classmates since elementary school, will attend the University of Virginia's College at Wise, where they join former TW runner Jared Taylor in the up-and-coming cross country program.

Neither Smith nor Taylor had UVA-Wise as a first choice, but a visit this spring changed their minds and moved the Cavaliers to the top of the list.

It just felt good when we went there, explained Skeen, who also had offers from Tusculum, Lincoln Memorial University and Roanoke College. The visit was personable and I really liked the coach (Jason Lewkowicz).

Smith, who also received offers from Tusculum, Lincoln Memorial University and Union College, agreed saying, "Coach Lewkowicz is very down to earth and related to the prospects.

"Our visit up there put the finishing touches on making UVA-Wise my first choice," Smith stated. "I was leaning that way, then meeting the coach and seeing the campus sealed my decision."

The Pioneer duo have become two of the most highly decorated athletes at Thomas Walker in both cross country and track with Smith being the first runner in school history to earn All-Cumberland and All-Region D honors for four consecutive years in cross country.

Skeen was a three time selection with both runners participating at the state level in four straight years. A tough freshman year in cross country helped Skeen become a stellar performer over the years in both sports while Smith said he realized his sophomore year that he enjoyed running and could be successful.

"I will never forget the meet at LMU when Collin (Skeen) was a freshman," explained TW Coach Tim McElyea. "He finished dead last and when he came across the finish line," he said. ˜that will never happen again."

Skeen's prediction was evident in his performance the rest of the season as he came through in the Region D meet at Camp Bethel to help propel the Pioneers to the regional title.

"I hated being last and it finally hit me that if I worked at it, I could be successful," Skeen added. "Up until the last two or three races that season, I was just competing for the sixth or seventh spot on our team. Then I realized how much I liked the competition.

Smith had a similar story to tell, saying that even though he had a successful freshman year, he still wasn't that interested in running.

"I really got into cross country after my sophomore year," he said. "I was doing good, but never really went that extra mile with my training."  

Since realizing their potential, Skeen and Smith have been the foundation for an incredible program that has won 10 consecutive Cumberland District titles. During their tenure at TW, they have racked up four district titles, two regional titles and one regional runner-up with Skeen being the district individual champion in 2004-2005.

Skeen also has five Pioneer practice records and eight TW meet records while being named the 2005-2006 Most Valuable Runner. Along with their accomplishments in cross country, both also have plenty of medals in track with Skeen planning to participate in track at UVA-Wise, while Smith is undecided.

If Thomas Walker is able to defend their Cumberland District track crown today (Wednesday), Smith and Skeen will have won four straight district titles in two sports.

"You couldn't ask for two better kids to be a part of your program," said McElyea. "It's been a pleasure to watch them grow as athletes and students."

UVA Wise's Coach Lewkowicz agreed, saying both are good kids and good athletes. Lewkowicz, who was present for last Tuesday's (May 1) signing, said he prefers to recruit locally and is pleased to land two solid runners.

"I believe in recruiting in your backyard first," Lewkowicz stated. "We have a lot of talented athletes in this area and our budget doesn't allow for us to travel long distances to recruit.

Smith, the son of Robert and Janice Smith of Ewing, also has an All-District basketball selection on his resume, along with a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities. Smith plans to major in Psychology and become a guidance counselor with the three-sport athlete ranked 15th in his class.

Skeen, the grandson of Hall of Fame basketball coach Ronald Skeen, has also been active in Forensics and One Act Play at Thomas Walker and plans to major in English education. Skeen is also the Salutatorian of his 2007 class with a 4.4076 grade point average. Skeen is the son of Jerry Skeen of Lexington, Kentucky and Susan Collins of Ewing and the grandson of Ronald and Carol Skeen of Ewing. He has one sister, Hunter, an eighth grader at TWHS.

Both athletes credit support from family and friends as a key to their success while also giving credit to Coach McElyea and track Coach Chris Sutphin.

"I thank God for giving me the ability to be successful and giving me this opportunity," Smith said. "My family has always been there for me and supported anything I've ever done.

Skeen added, "I'm grateful for everyone that's been here to support me - that's what's kept me going."