USTFCCCA Release

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After a season full of firsts, Fiona Smith added yet another first to her resume this past weekend at the NCAA North Region meet.
 
After winning the North Region individual championship, Smith was named the first USTFCCCA North Region Athlete of the Year in College of Saint Benedict cross country history. The USTCCCA announced its region athletes and coaches of the year Tuesday afternoon, and Smith made the last after winning the race by 27 seconds.
 
The region athlete of the year award comes after Smith became the first region champion in CSB cross country history, and also the first athlete in program history to break 21 minutes in a 6K as she finished the race in a school-record time of 20:57.24. Earlier this season, Smith became the first person to break 22 minutes in a 6K.
 
The North Region Athlete of the Year honor is the second athlete of the year honor for Smith this season. She earned MIAC Athlete of the Year honors after winning the conference title on Oct. 30, marking the third individual MIAC champion in program history.
 
Smith has won five races this season, including the MIAC and region meets. She earned five MIAC Athlete of the Week honors – the most for any CSB cross country athlete in a career, let alone a season, and was also named CSB Athlete of the Week several times.
 
Smith wraps up her first season with the Bennie cross country team Saturday, Nov. 20, at the NCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships. She races at 11 a.m. CST in Louisville, Ky.