Nikki Hiltz’s coach is a key figure in the track and field world and is known for his exceptional coaching abilities. Their coach Mike Smith has been instrumental in guiding the 30-year-old every step of the way, with his iron-clad backing. “Mike’s coaching philosophy is rooted in understanding each athlete’s unique strengths and challenges,” stated the runner. As one of America’s top middle-distance runners, Hiltz has earned six NCAA Division-I All-America honors and finished as the runner-up in two 1500m NCAA championships. In 2023, they broke the American mile record with a time of 4:16.35.

Most recently, on January 31, Hiltz competed in an event at the John Thomas Terrier Classic, hosted by Boston University. Yet again the California native showcased their talent. Category? 3000 m event amongst 180 runners and finished in 8:32.52 minutes, and reached the podium. Hiltz also competed in U.S. Olympic trials, where they clocked the second-fastest time ever recorded by an American in the women’s 1500-meter race. Beyond the track, this star runner is also an advocate for queer visibility. They moved to Arizona to train under Smith, whose expertise has already made a significant impact. Let us delve into the story of Mike Smith, exploring his background, coaching philosophy, and the bond that has propelled Hiltz to the pinnacle of track and field.

Who is Nikki Hiltz’s coach, Mike Smith?

Besides being a highly talented running coach, Mike Smith is the director of the cross-country track and field at Northern Arizona University since 2017. In fact, under his guidance, the men’s cross-country teams have won five NCAA Division I championships between 2017 and 2022. Smith focuses on having synergy and sportsmanship between the team instead of focusing on the final result.

Before his coaching career, Smith had a very successful running career himself. He competed for Wachusett Regional High School as well as the reputed Georgetown University. He also worked as an elementary school teacher before earning a master’s degree. Other than Nikki Hiltz, he has also coached Woody Kincaid, Elly Henes, Luis Grijalva, and Colin Sahlman. He was named the Big Sky Indoor Track and Field Coach for the year 2023-24 as well.

The track star moved from San Diego to train under Smith

Nikki Hiltz moved from San Diego to Flagstaff, Arizona to train under coach Mike Smith. The move was motivated by Hiltz’s desire to train alongside runners Rachel Schneider and Elly Henes. They had previously traveled to Flagstaff to train for a few months, as is common for most middle-distance runners “It was super fun and chill, and we all just vibed so well together. I ended up running and working out with them for the rest of my time there.” stated the California native, talking about his experience.

Hiltz was also drawn in by Mike Smith’s philosophy and method of coaching. They also wanted to be aerobically strong, which is one of Smith’s specialties. The 30-year-old elaborated on the experience, saying, “I was drawn to the way [Smith] wanted to get to know me as a person before we even talked about training. He’s also a super cool and confident dude, and I think part of me is hoping that confidence and swag can rub off on me.”

For Hiltz, hopefully, the move to Flagstaff pays off. Apparently, Mike Smith and his team are also supportive of the runner’s LGBTQIA+ advocacy. This created an environment that was ideal for Nikki Hiltz to practice and reach their full potential. But now, there is a serious cause for concern for Hiltz and other transgender athletes– Trump’s recent executive order might be the reason. With his signature on Wednesday, February 5th, transgender athletes were prohibited from participating in women’s sports. Now, the question arises: Will they be able to participate in the women’s Wanamaker Mile at the 2025 Millrose Games? Or will they be stopped from breaking down boundaries by this new law?