ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Fiona Smith keeps finding ways to one-up even herself.
School records. Beating top opponents. Running different races – and still winning.
Last week, she set the already high bar even higher for herself.
Smith made Division III track and field history at the Drake Relays in the 5,000-meter run – against top competition from all levels of collegiate track and field. For her impressive, record-setting performance, Smith is this week’s CSB Athlete of the Week.
Not only did Smith finish in the top five of the fast heat of the 5K at the Drake Relays – she ran one of the top-10 times in Division III history. Smith took fifth out of 21 runners – and only one Division I runner finished ahead of her – in 16:16.54. That time in sixth-best in Division III.
Smith ran with Loras standout Kassie Parker much of the race, and the duo both earned a spot in the Division III top 10. Smith’s time marked a 19-second personal best, a new Bennie track and field outdoor record, the fastest time in the MIAC and the third-fastest time in Division III in 2022.
Smith and her teammates have one last meet before the 2022 MIAC Outdoor Championships. The team heads to St. Paul Wednesday, May 4, for the annual Tommie Twilight at 4:30 p.m. on the St. Thomas campus.
