By: Delanie Gearing, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. - Neshara Smith made a remarkable debut at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships, earning a spot in the finals in her first-ever NCAA Championship appearance. Smith delivered a stellar performance, securing 3rd place in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.33 seconds. Her performance came after she set a school record the day before in the same event, earning her a place in the final.
As a result of her impressive finish, Smith was awarded All-American status, marking a significant achievement in her career.
Reflecting on the weekend, Smith expressed her gratitude and excitement, "I want to first thank my coaches, teammates, and family for supporting me. The weekend was very exciting, especially being a part of the NCAA DII Festival that included other national championships. I'm grateful for this weekend because I came in with a plan to be in the top three in the nation, and I was able to achieve just that," said Smith.
Head Coach Chris Bradford also commended Smith for her performance, "I am so proud of Neshara. She was able to step up with her best performances on the biggest stage. She was composed under pressure all weekend. This will lead to bigger and better things as we go into the outdoor season."
Smith's accomplishment is historic, as she becomes only the third athlete in program history to qualify for an individual event at the indoor championships and earn All-American honors. This achievement further solidifies Smith's place as one of the top competitors in the nation and sets the stage for even greater success in the upcoming outdoor season.
