Samantha "Sammy" Smith is redefining what it means to be a multi-sport athlete, and her latest achievement proves that following your passion—even when it means taking an unconventional path—can lead to extraordinary success.

On Tuesday at the U.S. National Cross-Country Ski Championships in Lake Placid, New York, Smith claimed the national title in the freestyle sprint at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. The Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Gold Team member dominated every stage of competition, winning her qualifier, quarterfinal, and semifinal before pulling away on the final hill to edge out Alayna Sonnesyn by just .07 seconds.

What makes this victory even more remarkable is Smith's unwavering commitment to pursuing both her passions simultaneously. Rather than focusing exclusively on skiing, the Stanford sophomore dedicated the fall to helping her university soccer team compete for the NCAA National Championship. Her team reached the title game on December 8, ultimately falling to Florida State in a hard-fought 1-0 match.

Just four days after that soccer championship game, Smith competed in her first Nordic race in nine months—in Alaska. She finished second. Then she returned to Sun Valley, training on roller skis while waiting for snow conditions to improve on local cross-country tracks. By the time nationals arrived, she was ready, also securing a fifth-place finish (third among Americans) in the 10K Individual Classic.

This marks Smith's second national championship in as many years, having won the classic sprint title in 2025. It's also the second consecutive year she's missed early-season Nordic training to compete with her soccer team—a decision that has raised eyebrows in the ski community but one she stands behind with conviction.

"I know my path is different from others but I'm doing what I love and I think there's a lot to be said for staying true to that," Smith told Faster Skier, adding that she was channeling the fire from her final soccer game into her skiing.

Smith's athletic resume extends beyond collegiate competition. She's represented the United States in soccer at World Cup competition in 2022 and 2024, and helped Team USA secure a bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games.

Now, Smith is hoping her strong showing at nationals will earn her one of eight coveted spots on the U.S. cross-country ski team heading to the Milano Cortina Olympics in February. While she might have accumulated more qualifying points had she competed in early-season World Cup races, her commitment to doing things her way is inspiring athletes everywhere to pursue their dreams without compromise.

Why It Matters

Smith's success challenges the conventional wisdom that elite athletes must specialize in one sport from a young age. Her story demonstrates that passion, determination, and authenticity can triumph over traditional training paths. For young athletes facing pressure to choose between multiple interests, Smith is proof that it's possible to excel at the highest levels while staying true to yourself. Her journey reminds us that there's more than one way to reach the podium—and that following your heart might just be the best training program of all.