Denver “Junie” Smith, a native of Tyrone, who now resides in Louisville, Ohio, was honored by the Master’s Track and Field committee at the annual meeting held in Greensboro, North Carolina, in early December.
Mr. Smith was named the Outstanding Combined Event Athlete for 2003, for the 75-79 age group by the Master’s Track and Field governing body.
Smith, 79, who has competed in the master’s competition since he turned 55, won three major master’s championships in the past 12 months, including the pentathlon, heptathlon and decathlon in his 75-79 age class. Denver’s honors include a 2003 World Championship in the decathlon. Including the three 2003 events, Smith has now won nine national championships.
Smith’s honor and accomplishments have been recorded in the January 2004 National Master’s News, which is the official news journal for track and field, long distance running and racewalking.
Mr. Smith retired from Louisville High School in 1982 after 28 years of service. He was a physical education and coach at the school.
“This award is the result of my good 2003 year, that I was fortunate enough to have,” said Smith. “This has been a very humbling year for me. I’ve said this before, so I may be repeating myself, but being the old teacher that I am, I’m going to say it again. We are a graying nation and you too, can get out there and improve your health and your life by just exercising more.”
