DES MOINES, Iowa – Fiona Smith was surprised last week when she found out she'd been put in the fast heat of the 5,000-meter run at the prestigious Drake Relays.
 
It turns out she had nothing to worry about.
 
Smith was one of 21 runners from all levels of the NCAA competing Thursday night, and she finished in fifth overall in 16:16.54. That time earns Smith a spot in the Division III record books with the sixth-fastest time in DIII history.
 
Winona State's Lindsay Cunningham won the race in 16:05.36, Iowa Western's Hilda Chebet took second in 16:07.40 and Loras senior Kassie Parker took third – and was the top Division III runner - in 16:09.66. Only one Division I runner finished ahead of Smith – Bradley first year Nicola Jansen, who finished in 16:14.10.
 
Smith's time is a 19-second personal best, a new CSB track and field record, the top time in the MIAC this season and the third-fastest time in Division III so far in 2022.
 
Smith is off now until May 4 when she competes at the Tommie Twilight. The rest of the Bennie cross country team competes Friday, April 29, starting at 4 p.m. at the CSB/SJU Last Minute Meet on the SJU campus.