TOP ATHLETE OF THE PAST 30 YEARS: RACHEL SMITH (PAWHUSKA)
By Mike Tupa
Oct. 29, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
During his nearly 30 years of covering area high school sports for either the Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise or the Bartlesville Area Sports Report, Mike Tupa has enjoyed the opportunity to observe some incredible athletes.
This is an ongoing series highlighting each few days one of those athletes from the 1996-97 school year through the present. The list is not in chronological order. The athletes are presented in random sequence.
TODAY'S SPOTLIGHT
RACHEL SMITH (Pawhuska)
Multiple sports (mid-to-late 2000s)
Smith quietly amassed an amazing track career on a state level.
During a three-year period she won two individual state medals each year — all in hurdles’ competition.
She claimed the state title in the 100m hurdles in 2006 and 2007 and won the 300m hurdles crown in 2006.
As a junior she nearly broke the 16-second barrier in the 100m hurdles race (:16.04).
In addition to that, in her senior season (2008), Smith zipped to second place in the 100m hurdles and ran on the team’s silver medal 4x100m relay team.
Smith also bolstered the Lady Huskie basketball team.
In a spirited showdown in 2007 against Caney Valley, Smith flushed five points in the opening quarter to lead Pawhuska to a 12-11 lead. But foul woes eventually sent her to the bench and Caney Valley took control. When Smith came back on the court in the third quarter, Pawhuska narrowed the lead to three points, 28-25. But once again Caney Valley pulled away and held on for the win. Smith finished with a team-high nine points.
Smith also topped the Lady Huskies in scoring (10 points) in a 47-36 basketball loss to Hominy.
Despite fouling out, Smith scored nine points in a 61-55 win against unbeaten Barnsdall.
Smith was a four-year starter in basketball. Her coach called her as good an athlete as on any team and owning the potential to register a double-double every game.
Smith also played on the softball team.
Batting in the leadoff spot, Smith reached base and scored runs in big diamond wins against Nowata, 4-2, and Sperry, 6-4, at the Sperry tourney.
Smith definitely brought considerable skills and steely athletic focus to each competition.
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This series has featured the following athletes, listed in no particular order.
-Jena’ Williams, Bartlesville
-Eric Rolfs, Bartlesville
-Chris Smith, Caney Valley
-Jill Bryan, Copan
-Barron Tanner Jr, Bartlesville
-Hailey Tucker, Bartlesville
-Jeremy Dunkle, Dewey
-Whitney Metcalf, Bartlesville
-Tim Hamilton, Bartlesville
-Danielle Koster, Bartlesville
-Carson LaRue, Dewey
-John Hamman, Wesleyan Christian
-Jamie Elam, Caney Valley
-Sam Mitchell, Bartlesville
-Karissa Jones, Dewey
-Noah Hartsock, Bartlesville
-Tiffany Paper, Copan
-AJ Parker, Bartlesville
-Tiffany Eden, Caney Valley
-Henry Williams, Bartlesville
-Markell Carter, Bartlesville
-Rebecca Schluter, Wesleyan Christian
-Adam Hibdon, Barnsdall
-Tishuana Hunter, Nowata
-Nate Alleman, Bartlesville
-Jessie Burch, Dewey
-Joey McNair, Caney Valley/Bartlesville
-Michael Thompson, Bartlesville
-Kate Steward, Bartlesville
-Jarrett Rouse, Community
-Amanda Warehime, Bartlesville
-Trey Osborne, Dewey
-Heather Lanphear, Barnsdall
-Erin Epperson, Bartlesville
-Levi Wyrick, Caney Valley (Kan.)
-Spencer Magana, Dewey
-Jackie Jo Chaney, Copan
-Haley Downey, Bartlesville
-Cooper Fogle, Caney Valley
-Amanda Brown, Copan
Rachel Smith