For Oak Ridge High School senior Laurel Smart, success in flag football means pushing herself to improve while setting an example her teammates can follow.
The Class of 2027 wide receiver and safety has earned recognition at the school, league and regional levels. Her accomplishments reflect a standout high school career, but her focus extends beyond individual awards.
“I am motivated by pushing myself to be the best I can be,” Smart said, adding that she wants to be “an example to my teammates on and off the field.”
Smart’s 2025–26 honors include Sierra Foothill League MVP, first-team All-Sac-Joaquin Section recognition and a spot on The Sacramento Bee’s All-Metro team. At Oak Ridge, she was also named Team MVP and Junior Class Athlete of the Year.
Those awards followed her selection to the 2024 All-Sierra Foothill League first-team offense, giving her a growing list of accomplishments as she moves through her high school career.
Playing wide receiver and safety puts Smart on both sides of the ball, with opportunities to contribute to Oak Ridge’s offense and defense. Her desire to lead by example gives those responsibilities added meaning: she wants the standards she sets for herself to carry beyond her own performance.
Smart also has a clear goal for what comes after graduation.
“I plan on attending college and playing flag football at the next level,” she said.
As she looks toward that opportunity, Smart’s motivation remains rooted in personal improvement and the example she provides for others. For the Oak Ridge senior, the next chapter starts with continuing to demand her best on the field and beyond it.
