ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Fiona Smith of the College of Saint Benedict Cross Country Team excels at a high level whether in competition or in the classroom. On Wednesday (Nov. 16) she became the seventh-ever student-athlete at CSB to earn a MIAC Elite 22 Award, which honors academic excellence matched with athletic success.
 

Smith, who earned her second straight USTFCCCA NCAA DIII North Region Athlete of the Year honor on Tuesday, Nov. 15, was honored by the league due to her extraordinary achievement as a student-athlete. The junior from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, has been one of the nation's top runners in competition and her work in the classroom is showcased by a 4.0 grade point average in mathematics. She earned the Elite 22 Award for Cross Country.

"We are proud to see Fiona get the Elite 22 award in our conference since our conference is loaded with brilliant student-athletes," said CSB Head Cross Country Coach Robin Balder-Lanoue. "She sets herself for success in all aspects of her life."

According to an announcement from the league, the MIAC Elite 22 Award recognizes the true essence of the term "student-athlete" by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in their sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among their peers. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Award, the MIAC Elite 22 Award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest grade-point average (GPA) in each sport who meets similarly high, sport-specific athletic requirements.

Smith is the seventh Elite 22 Award winner in CSB athletics history and the first in cross country history. In 2021-22, CSB had two recipients including Abby Willenbring of the soccer program and Tracy Renier of outdoor track and field, who is the only two-time recipients in school history. Renier also earned the 2020-21 outdoor track and field honor. Other honorees included Hunter Weiss of volleyball in 2018-19; Natalie Amundson of golf in 2016-17; Piper Murray of soccer and Kathryn Gaydos of volleyball in 2013-14.

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Smith, a junior from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, became the first-ever two-time NCAA DIII North Region champion from the College of Saint Benedict. Smith is the fourth student-athlete in MIAC history to repeat as region athlete of the year joining Hailey Harren, Gustavus, 2005-06; Marie Borner, Bethel, 2008-09; and Ruth Steinke, Carleton, 2014-15. On Sunday (Nov. 13), Smith, who has won back-to-back NCAA DIII North Region and MIAC individual championships, was among the individuals selected to advance to the NCAA Championships which will be held on Nov. 19 at the Forest Akers East Golf Course on the campus of Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich.  Smith, who earned cross country All-American honors a year ago (5^th),  will try for her seventh cross country/track and field All-American honor .