Sammy Smith of the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team was recognized with the U.S. Nordic Olympic Women's (US NOW) Gold Rush Award for her outstanding performance and versatility. The Gold Rush Award is an annual award that honors the outstanding achievements and versatility of cross country athletes, and is given to the female World Cup athlete who has demonstrated outstanding grit and character throughout the year.
This honor recognizes Smith's extraordinary accomplishments and highlights her as this season's outstanding athlete. Previous winners include Smith's teammates Nobby McCabe, Julia Khan, Rosie Brennan and Jesse Diggins, who recognized her for her exemplary performance and dedication to the sport. showed that.
“This award is not a direct recognition of what's happening on the race course,” said Allison Owen Bradley, founder of the Gold Rush Award and a pioneer in elite-level women's cross-country skiing in the United States. said in an interview. “Rather, recipients are chosen for the award because they embody and demonstrate the grit and grace necessary to succeed. It's not the result itself, but what happens behind the scenes to get the result.”
Smith has firmly established himself as a perennial contender on the World Cup circuit. Notable achievements include winning a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Planica, Slovenia in the 2023-24 season and finishing in the top 30 on the World Cup stage eight times. In her first World Cup sprint for Smith, she advanced to the heat, a feat rarely achieved by such young athletes on the circuit. From there, her performance continued to improve and she became one of the team's top sprinters. Smith gives her all on the snow, but she always strives to get better and brings her people along in the process. Using her grit to turn frustration into a learning opportunity is one of Smith's many strengths.
“She's a teammate that I always knew I could rely on,” said Khan, who has won the award in the past and is currently a teammate of Smith's. “Her grit, grace and poise inspire us to believe we can pursue multiple dreams and always be there for the team.”
Smith's ability to overcome challenges with poise and determination is admirable. Smith is a once-in-a-generation athlete. Outside of skiing, she is an elite soccer player and she plans to begin her college career at Stanford University this fall. While she was in high school, Smith played for the U.S. Soccer U17 Women's National Team as a member of the U.S. U17 Women's World Cup, and later she also played for the U.S. U20 Women's National Soccer Team. She was named the 2022-23 Idaho Soccer Player of the Year, the 2020-21 Idaho Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year and the 2020-21 Idaho Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Along with her sisters, she is also the founder of GO BIG Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides resources and opportunities to underprivileged youth.
“I am very grateful to have won the Gold Rush Award,” Smith said. “It has been a great honor to compete on the World Cup circuit this season and really get to know the other players. Truly one of the most fun, exciting and humbling events I have ever been involved with. It's a group of people and we want to continue to be that way.'' We'll have many more seasons with them! ”
While balancing skiing, soccer, and schoolwork, she has demonstrated great abilities in time management and dedication, but beyond that accomplishment, Smith has proven to be a valuable team player and excels in every situation. provided support and encouragement to teammates.
“Sammy dealt with the pressure of racing at the highest level of cross-country skiing, juggled school and soccer, and traveled to a new country every week, all while being an incredibly thoughtful and current teammate.” Khan said. “She was always the first to help anyone who needed help, join in on team jogs, and try out group tactics with her teammates during race prep. On tough days, she was always there to help. Sammy brings positive energy and lifts the mood. We organize soccer juggling circles to change the monotony of life on the road for the team.”
In recognition of Sammy's exemplary performance and dedication to the sport, she is the most deserving recipient of the U.S. Nordic Olympic Women's Gold Rush Award. Congratulations, Sammy!
