LHS Junior Jarrett Smith Commits to Stanford for Wrestling
The LHS junior and defending individual state champion made it official this month.
Justin Scott - Sports Reporter
11/17/2024 - to appear in next week’s Ledger.
When you’re choosing between Stanford, Northwestern, and Harvard, man you’re doing something right. That was the decision that LHS junior Jarrett Smith had before him as he chose where he wanted to wrestle and attend college before ultimately deciding on the west coast academic juggernaut.
“I really enjoyed Stanford’s environment. Everything seemed perfect; the campus was beautiful, the coaches were amazing, and most importantly I fit in with the guys on the team well. Stanford’s academics also drew my attention. They are a very prestigious academic institution,” Jarrett told the Ledger.
In his freshman year, Smith finished third place in the state before last year lifting his first MHSAA Individual state title at the 106 lb weight class. An anchor at the lower weights, Smith will move up at least a little bit this year.
Stanford Wrestling made national headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring of 2020, Stanford University based out of Palo Alto, California, cut 11 of its varsity sports, including wrestling. These types of cuts do happen. Michigan State Swim & Dive was a notable cut here in the state of Michigan. While they do happen, they’re often criticized especially given a school like Stanford as an endowment of over $30 billion. Stanford’s Shane Griffith won an individual wrestling NCAA championship in 2021. The singlet he wore was black, no logo. A protest of the school’s decision. That singlet was made by a now defunct Lowell apparel company. Two months later, that decision to cancel the 11 sports was reversed. Griffith’s run and momentum brought to the movement certainly played a part, “while the structural financial challenges facing Stanford Athletics remain very real,” changed circumstances have “provided a new path” for supporting the programs, the University told the San Francisco Chronicle.
Jarrett flashes the "11" sign, signifying Lowell's 11th straight state title last season.
For Smith, over three years later, all of that news didn’t faze him, with the program well established and in place.
“I didn’t really think of it a whole lot. They have a new coaching staff and great funding so I don’t think it’ll even be in the question in the future.”
On top of the individual success, which includes becoming Lowell’s first ever Fargo champion, Smith has relished being a part of the back-to-back team state titles his freshman and sophomore year, and looks forward to leading the Red Arrows to what he hopes is the team’s 12th in a row. He also played golf the last two years for the Red Arrows.
Smith was considering Stanford, Northwestern, Harvard, and also had visits to Virginia and Indiana, the latter where Lowell senior Jackson Blum committed to this past summer. Ultimately Stanford, one of the finest academic institutions in the world, was the one that made the final cut.
“I am extremely grateful to announce my commitment to Stanford University,” Smith said on social media. “I would like to thank my friends, coaches, and most importantly, my parents for their constant support. I would also like to thank the Stanford coaching staff for giving me this opportunity. Go Card!”
In regards to why he decided to commit as just a high school junior, it just felt right. “I was ready to commit and had seen what I wanted to. I also wanted to secure my spot as the roster sizes are decreasing. I think my grades really helped me be able to commit early as coaches don’t have to worry so much about acceptance,” Smith concluded.
