Ponaganset High School Athletic Hall of Fame
Induction Class of 2017
Joshua Smith
Athlete
Class of 1996
Cross Country, Outdoor Track & Field
By the time Josh Smith graduated from Ponaganset High School in 1996, he had become one of the most decorated athletes in school history. A four-year letterman on the cross country and outdoor track and field teams, Josh finished his high school career as one of eight Ponaganset athletes to earn 1st team All State three times.
As a freshman, Josh won the individual title in the Interscholastic League’s Freshman Cross Country Championship. He was then named 2nd team All State and All New England Cross Country. He also finished 5th in the Youth Division Junior Olympic meet held in Mobile, Alabama that December. During his sophomore and junior year cross country campaigns, the Chieftain star served as team captain, earning 1st team All State and All New England in ‘93 and ‘94. During the spring of his junior year, Josh would capture his third 1st team all-state honor, as he went on to win the 1500m state meet gold in outdoor track & field. A leg cramp he developed during the state championship in his senior year derailed his chances at a state title. He rebounded substantially the following week at the New England Championship, where he finished 9th overall. For his efforts, he received 2nd Team All-State and celebrated with his team as they captured the 95’ Cross Country State Championship. He left Ponaganset holding 5 school records in track including the 400m Dash, 800m Run, 1500m Run, 1600m Run and the 4 x 400m relay.
Upon Graduation from Ponaganset, Josh attended The Community College of Rhode Island, where he would become an All-American in cross country. Josh now lives in Smithfield with his wife Beth and three children, Mason, Colin, and Emma.