For Immediate Release May 24, 2001
Smith Is 10,000 National Champ
Senior Wins Title in 35:05, Beats Second By Over a Minute
DECATUR, IL--Roanoke College senior track & field star Casey Smith (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) capped a brilliant collegiate track & field career on Thursday, winning the 2001 NCAA Division III outdoor track & field national championship in the 10,000 meters at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. The title is the first national championship of any kind for Roanoke College since the men’s lacrosse team ‘won it all’ in 1978. Smith, who placed second in the same race last season, finished with a time of 35:05, over one minute better than the second place competitor. The third place finisher was over one lap behind Smith when she crossed the line.The senior, who was named to the All-Academic District III team earlier in the week, can bring her college career to an even better close on Saturday as she tries for another title, this one in the 5,000 meters. Smith placed seventh in the country in the 5,000 meters last season. With her national championship on Thursday, Smith earns her sixth all-time All-American honors (two cross country, four track & field).
|