Swift could quite literally make any move she wanted to and her legion of fans the world over would follow suit. It’s a scary amount of power for any one person to hold.

For the millions of albums that Swift has sold over her incredible career, Mifflin County High School’s Carter Smith has her beat when it comes to gold medals, signifying state championships in cross country and indoor track.

Swift might have more gold discs — or albums — but the 16-year-old Smith, only a junior in high school — has more that are made to hang around his neck. Smith picked up this third crown on Sunday, winning the 800-meter race at the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association Indoor Championships at Penn State.

Smith blazed down the final straight away to victory in a time of 1:51.11, much to the delight of Husky nation — those in the crowd and others who tuned in online to watch the meet.

Photo courtesy of LUKE BENDER
Husky standout Carter Smith is off at the start of his race at the state meet on Sunday.

Since his first crown at last year’s indoor state meet, Smith has become a household name around the Juniata Valley. He can’t go out in public without being recognized by someone.

“Usually they’re like, ‘Aren’t you that runner…?'” Smith said. “Honestly, I’ve gotten used to it.”

He had barely crossed the finish line for Sunday’s dramatic come-from-behind win before his phone started blowing up. There are just too many texts and calls. “I turn it off after I win for a day,” quipped Smith.

He makes time to return the messages eventually.

Mifflin County head coach Tamara Sechler said Smith hasn’t let the success go to his head.

Photo courtesy of LUKE BENDER
Mifflin County High School runner Carter Smith received a gold watch for winning an indoor track state title.

“He seems to handle it well,” Sechler said. “He is proud of what he has accomplished and enjoys the recognition. Yet, he remains focused on his goals and committed to his training. He also works well with his coaches and teammates.”

Smith isn’t fazed by the notoriety. “People were like ‘good job,'” he said of the reception he got at school on Monday.

When Smith heard he’s being honored, “I laughed it off with my friends,” he said. The accolades are nice, but the mission was accomplished when he was victorious.

If anything, Smith revels in the sense of exhilaration that his teammates felt when they earned a fourth-place medal at states in the distance medley relay. Smith ran the anchor leg for the team, which also included Reese Cubbison, Connor Lynch and Wyatt Kauffman.

“They put in a lot of work,” Smith said. “They deserve to get the credit, too.”

The Husky runners will get that recognition today as they will be honored with a fire truck parade at 6 p.m., beginning at Red’s Diner in Lewistown and ending at the high school.

The public is invited to greet the medalists at MCHS Commons following the parade.

“It definitely shows putting in the work pays off,” Smith explained.

Being a versatile runner, boasting speed and endurance proved to be the difference for Smith on Sunday between the thrill of victory and agony of defeat.

“I’m an all-around runner,” Smith said. “I can do everything. I’m fast, but I also have a lot of endurance.”

When he won his first indoor gold two years ago, Smith treated the final trip around the Penn State oval as his victory lap as no one was going to catch him. He put that endurance on display for all to see.

This time, he showed everyone that blazing speed, flying past runner after runner on his way to glory. Whether that was the game plan, Smith won’t say.

“The plan was to win, and I got the win,” Smith revealed. “That was the plan.

“You can win in a lot of ways,” Smith added. “You’ve got to expect anything.”

We’ve come to expect nothing less from Smith. Maybe, we are all Smithies