By Ken Hansard
Gavin Hickert, a senior at Smith Center High School, is set to make his mark in his final season competing for the Redmen in the Mid-Continent League (MCL). A dedicated distance runner, Hickert competes in the 4×800-meter relay, 1600m, 3200m, and occasionally the 800m, bringing both talent and leadership to a team with high expectations. “I’m looking forward to regionals and the state meet because of the competition level,” Hickert said. “Hopefully we can do well as a team and get top three or even win state.”
That team-first mindset defines Gavin’s role, as he not only focuses on scoring points but also encourages teammates and promotes unity. “My role is to support others and make sure I’m doing my part, while also spreading the word of God and praying for everyone on the team,” he added.
Hickert’s résumé is impressive. He broke his school’s 3200m record by 30 seconds with a sub-10-minute performance at the state meet as a sophomore and has consistently delivered strong results, including winning nearly half of his races last season. He also earned All-Academic MCL Team honors and the KCCTFCA Cross Country Academic All-State award, highlighting his excellence in the classroom with a 3.982 GPA and an impressive score of 28 on his ACT.
After battling knee injuries, Hickert used the offseason to recover and refine his pacing and finishing strength. “I made sure to take time to heal and worked on finishing that last 200 meters strong,” he said.
With goals of winning a state title, breaking remaining school records, and leading his team to a top three finish, Hickert is determined to end his high school career on a high note. “Last year at state didn’t go how I wanted, so I’m motivated to come back stronger,” he said.
Following graduation, Hickert plans to continue his academic and athletic career at Friends University, pursuing mechanical engineering while continuing his athletic career by competing in track and cross country.
