SOUTH POINT - Finishing last in your best event at the conference junior high track meet would be enough to erase the dreams and ambitions of most runners.

But Zach Smith decided not to let that dream slip away. After finishing last in the 800 meter run as an eighth grader in the Ohio Valley Conference Middle School meet, Smith went on the attack.

Now, the South Point Pointers' senior distance runner is not only on the verge of winning his first OVC meet championship, but he is one of the best 800 meter runners in the state.

"When he was in the eighth grade, he finished dead last in the conference meet. I think it kind of embarrassed him. But instead of giving up, he just worked hard and now look at him," Pointers coach Randy Smith said.

Zach Smith, nephew of the head coach, said the lowly finish did sink his confidence, but not his determination.

"I really didn't think I was good at any sport," Zach Smith said. "I was at such a low point that it gave me the determination to work for something.

"I've had a dream since I was little to be in the Olympics. I never thought it was possible, but I thought it would be the coolest thing in the world. But now, after working this hard and seeing what hard work can do, I don't have any doubts that this could happen."

Smith won the unsanctioned state indoor 800 meters championship as a junior. He finished eighth in the Ohio High School Athletic Association state meet with a 1:56.4 time.

At this year's indoor state meet, Smith was second by less than a second while running in the elite division. He ran a school record 1:55.8 earlier this year as he won the high school division race at the Jesse Owens Classic at the University of Ohio State.

Smith would like nothing better than to win the state meet this season.

"I started planning for (this year's state meet) the week after the state meet last year. I trained every day and I knew I had to work for it. I wouldn't go out and run 10 miles in the blinding snow if a didn't plan on winning it," Zach Smith said.

But before he embarks on his goal of state champion, Smith has a few other important matters that need his attention. The Pointers are trying to upset the Chesapeake Panthers in the OVC meet Friday at Rock Hill High School.

Smith plans to do his part by running not only the 800 meter race, but the 400, 1600 and 3200 races as well.

"I'm going to try and do something that has never been done before by anyone, at least at South Point," Zach Smith said. "I want to win the 400, 800, 1600 and 3200.

"I think I've got a chance in some races, but in others it will be pretty tough, like the 400. Most likely I'll get tired, but the rest of my competition will be running the same events. The thing I'm going for is winning. I'm not worried about my times. I'm just going to do what it takes to win and conserve my energy for the other races. We need all the points we can get."

The district tournament follows the conference meet and Smith said he will concentrate on the 800. He is also aware that the competition at tournament time gets better each week. He thinks that will be to his benefit.

"I can get better," Zach Smith said. "I've only had two races where I was really challenged in the 800. Once I get into some real important meets and against some better competition, it will pull my times down."

Smith would like to continue running next year at the college level. So far, Liberty Baptist College has been making a strong push in recruiting. Smith said if he can get a college scholarship, almost anyone else can do the same.

"I am nothing special at all. This is something anybody in the world could do if they choose to put in the time and effort. It's how much you want to prepare. It's like the saying goes, practice makes perfect. If you really try to give your best when you're practicing at something, you'll be able to reach the best performance for you," Smith said.

"I may not have the talent some people do, but it's not all about talent. It's about how much you want to work," Zach said.

Although Zach Smith is all about hard work, he isn't without talent. And it all comes from not letting something like a last place finish get in the way of your dreams.