Reis Smith has been named Ceres High School’s Western Athletic Conference Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
“It’s a huge honor and something I’m really proud of,” said Smith, who was also voted Male Bulldog Athlete of the Year. “Balancing sports and school wasn’t always easy, so to be recognized for both means a lot. It feels like all the hard work, late nights studying after practice, early mornings, and sacrifices actually paid off. I know there are a lot of great student-athletes at Ceres High, so to be chosen is honestly humbling.”
Smith had a cumulative grade-point average of 3.7.
He took AP precalculus and biology classes.
“My parents have definitely been a major influence,” Smith said. “They’ve always emphasized the importance of working hard in the classroom and building a future that I can be proud of. It was never about being perfect, but they made it clear that effort and attitude matter. They were supportive without putting too much pressure on me. They just wanted me to care, and I did.”
Smith earned seven varsity letters, including three in both football and track and field, and one in baseball.
“The hardest part was time management,” he said. “There were days I’d be at school from morning until late after practice, then have homework or projects waiting for me. I definitely missed things, family events, hangouts with friends, even school functions I would’ve liked to attend. But looking back, it was 100 percent worth it. The discipline, the relationships with my teammates and coaches, and the lessons I learned made me who I am.”
A standout cornerback during his first two seasons of football as a junior and sophomore, Smith made a name for himself at receiver during his final year with the Bulldogs this past fall.
He led Ceres High in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Smith was voted the Western Athletic Conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.
He also earned first-team, all-league honors.
Smith caught 40 passes for 539 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games.
Smith also started at cornerback for the third straight year.
He had 39 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Smith played through finger, groin and toe injuries during the course of the season.
“I feel I met expectations,” he said. “There are some factors that slowed me down a bit but that’s a part of the game.”
Smith enjoyed his best season to date in track and field senior year.
He ran the first leg on Ceres High’s 4x100 relay team, which set meet and school records while finishing in first place at the WAC Championships on May 3 at Bulldog Stadium.
Smith, Joseluis Arreola, Nathaniel Macias and Tre Karriem posted a time of 43.34 seconds in the event.
They broke school (43.75) and WAC (43.36) finals records set in 1982 and 2012, respectively.
Smith, Arreola, Macias and Karriem claimed the 4x100-relay title (43.42) at the Sac-Joaquin Section Division-IV Championships.
They ran the fourth-fastest time in school history (43.80) while finishing 21st in the event at Masters.
Smith was a starting outfielder on Ceres High’s baseball team as a freshman.
He batted .259 from the plate with three doubles, 10 RBIs, 15 runs and three stolen bases.
He posted a 1-0 record at pitcher with a 0.00 earned-run average, two strikeouts and two walks.
Smith will attend Modesto Junior College this fall.
He will focus on academics.
Smith plans to earn an A.S. degree in Fire Science.
“I’ve wanted to be a fireman since I was a little kid,” he said. “There’s just something about the job, helping people, staying active, being part of a team that really speaks to me. I’ve always respected first responders, and as I got older, I realized how much I wanted a career that would challenge me physically and mentally while also giving back to the community. It just feels like the right fit.”
