Distance star signs letter-of-intent to compete for Air
Force
MORGAN HILL — Wanting to race for one of the best cross country and track and field programs in the country while receiving the best education possible, Sobrato senior Lance Wolfsmith has signed his letter-of-intent to aim high — and compete for the United States Air Force Academy.
The distance star is the school’s first athlete to receive a full-ride scholarship.
“Air Force just appealed to me the most,” Wolfsmith said Wednesday. “They were a little more outgoing and aggressive with my recruiting.
“I like the prestige of a military academy. I was a Navy kid growing up; I always wanted to go there. … But when it came down to it, I was Air Force all the way.”
Wolfsmith had been pursued by several top Division I programs since his freshman year, when he was ranked at the top of his class in California for cross country.
“Since then, we’ve gotten a call just about every evening and a letter in the mail each week from schools,” Lance Wolfsmith’s stepmother, Julie Wolfsmith, said.
Those schools included UCLA and Oklahoma State — plus the United States Naval Academy, his father and coach’s alma mater.
“I don’t mind the decision that much,” Dave Wolfsmith joked. “I think all the academies are excellent, but I think Air Force has the best track and field and cross country program. Having the opportunity to visit there twice, I was really impressed with what I saw. The coaching staff is incredible.”
One of the biggest draws was the World Class Athlete Program, offered only by Air Force and the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. The program provides athletes support to train and compete in national and international competitions while maintaining a professional military career.
After he graduates as a second lieutenant, Lance Wolfsmith will be able to spend his commission training for national and international competition, such as the Olympics.
“If that doesn’t work out, I want to get into Special Forces. I like to push myself,” said Lance Wolfsmith, who this year clocked the fastest mile and two-mile times in the CIF-Central Coast Section. “I definitely don’t want to fly.”
The 17-year-old was nearly set on Air Force after his first visit to Colorado Springs, Colo., during his sophomore year. He made his first visit to the 18,000-acre campus in October and was “blown away.”
“Everyone’s disciplined and very serious about what they’re doing,” he said. “You’ll go to class and be sitting next to valedictorians and future astronauts … All 4,500 students eat at the same time, too. It felt normal doing that. It didn’t feel rushed or anything, just efficient.
“I was able to be around the team and be around the guys in the dorms. I’ve hung out with them at a couple invitationals this year and liked them a lot. It’s just a perfect fit for me.”
Lance Wolfsmith said UCLA wanted to give him a visit soon, but he was already committed — especially after finishing the academy’s rigorous application.
“I started it in October and finished it the week before it was due, January 31,” he said. “They give you a physical fitness test, and you have to do everything: a timed mile after push-ups and sit-ups. It’s intense.”
Under first-year coach Juli Henner, Lance Wolfsmith hopes to compete at the varsity level next year, but will likely race unattached for the Academy’s Preparatory School.
“It’s like a redshirt season for me,” he explained. “I won’t be competing officially, but it will give me a year to train and adapt to the altitude (6,035-7,200 feet).”
The father and son both like Henner’s coaching philosophy.
“I’ve talked to her many times, and I really like the direction she plans on taking the team. Her coaching style won’t make it a hard transition for me,” said Lance Wolfsmith, who in fall placed 35th in the CIF State Cross Country finals meet.
“The team has expressed to her, after the fact, that Lance is going to be a perfect fit with their program,” Dave Wolfsmith added.
The feeling is mutual. Lance Wolfsmith is already thinking about winning Mountain West Conference championships and placing among the collegiate elite.
“I cannot wait to be able to run with guys that will push me,” he said. “It’s always been self motivation. Now I have guys to push me even further.”
Lance Wolfsmith’s decorated prep career has left him among the top distance runners in Morgan Hill history, and he isn’t done yet.
He will run the 3,200 meters this evening in his second trip to CCS Finals at Gilroy’s Garcia-Elder Sports Complex. The Blossom Valley Athletic League champion in the mile and two-mile hopes to redeem his injury-filled cross country season and become the third individual section champion in Sobrato history.
He can also punch a return ticket to state, where he finished 14th a year ago.
“State is big, but to me, CCS is even bigger because it’s like my hometown meet,” said Lance Wolfsmith, who is undefeated in CCS competition this year. “I can’t think of a better way to end my career than by winning this race. I’ll be able to say I had the fastest 3K in the nation and fastest times in CCS. It’s been a pretty good season.”
Lance Wolfsmith, who clocked nine minutes, 28.69 seconds Saturday at CCS Semifinals, has his eye on juniors Philip Macquitty of Palo Alto and Garrett Rowe of Mountain View. Rowe was the top finisher among juniors in the State Cross Country meet, and Macquitty was ranked No. 1 in the nation as a freshman.
The three have not raced each other in the 3,200 this season.
“It’s definitely going to be a good race,” Dave Wolfsmith said. “He’s been waiting for this all season.”
