Sentinel file photo by MIKE GOSS Carter Smith celebrates his victory after crossing the finish line during the state championships this past spring.

LEWISTOWN — It was no secret that Mifflin County’s star runner, Carter Smith, would take his talents to an NCAA Division I University.

The big question was which one would it be?

Smith, a senior, gave his answer late Tuesday night that he would be running for Oklahoma State University.

Oklahoma State is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, 65 miles north of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma State is a member of the Big 12 Conference. Stillwater has a population of 48,391 and Oklahoma State University has an enrollment of 36,838. The team’s nickname is the Cowboys.

Carter spoke at length why he picked Oklahoma State.

“I really like their coaches and the team is great to be around. They are also very fast,” Smith said. “My goals are to help the team win NCAA titles.”

In the preseason poll, the Cowboys cross country team was ranked third in the nation.

Why did you choose Tuesday to make your decision? “It was the last day of my visit, why wait if I know I want to go there, ” Smith added.

Stillwater is a long way from Mifflin County and it will be a big adjustment going from high school to Division 1.

“Being away from home and having to do everything for myself will be the biggest adjustment. The running part will get better as I get used to it,” Smith said.

His Mifflin County cross country coach, Alex Monroe, was really happy with the way things have turned out for Carter.

“I couldn’t be happier for Carter,” Monroe noted. “His decision to continue his running career at Oklahoma State was made with a lot of care. I’m really proud of him for trusting his gut and committing to a program like theirs. He will be in good hands under the guidance of Dave Smith and of course they are very lucky to sign a runner like Carter Smith.”

Carter Smith has had a running career that most athletes dream about. Between his sophomore and junior years, he won five state running championships. As a junior, he won the PIAA, 3A, cross country state title (2024) to go along with two outdoor 3A titles in the spring of that year in the 800 and 1600 meter runs. As a sophomore (2024) and as a junior (2025), he won two indoor state championships.

During the summer months, Carter ran on the national level in 1600 meters and won a national title with a time of 4:01.

When asked what keeps him motivated, Carter replied, “Just the love of running and to know you can always do better.”

Last school year, 2024-25, Carter ran against 2,024 runners and beat 2,023 of them, losing only in the Mid-Penn Conference meet by a fraction of a second.

So far this year, Carter has run three cross country races and has won them all. He has an important invitational race this Saturday in Hershey.