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NATIONAL CHAMPION
Fiona Smith ’24 has made Saint Ben’s history before. She holds plenty of school and conference records (15 school, MIAC or DIII records, to be precise). She was already a seven-time All-American in cross country and track. Last fall she finished second in the nation at the NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships. But this was big, even by her lofty standards.
On Saturday, March 11, Fiona won her second individual national title in two days by recording a 3,000-meter championship record of 9:25.62 in a dominating performance at the NCAA DIII Indoor Track and Field Championship. (Nearly 24 hours earlier, she won the 5K national championship by nearly seven seconds, with a time of 16:33.79.)
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She is the first in Saint Ben’s history –and the first in MIAC history – to win two individual indoor national titles in the same year. Not only did she set a high standard individually, but her performance also helped CSB record its best team finish ever at the DIII Indoor Nationals with 20 points for 11th. That team finish was the best among all MIAC schools.
Fiona, who is now a nine-time AllAmerican, shattered the previous meet record of 9:30.80 for the 3K, set in 2016. Her time was just under five seconds faster than the second-place finisher, University of Chicago junior Maddie Kelly.
“I feel good,” she said with a smile. “I’m very glad to be done, very relieved that it’s over. It was all so fun. They were two very fun races. But the 3K was even more enjoyable. I also enjoy that (event) more. Overall, I’m just so relieved and happy and grateful.”
She’s a leader on the track, but hopes her results can inspire other Bennies. “A lot of messages I’ve been getting over the past day have been congratulating me but also saying they hope I’m paving the way for the Bennies in the future. So, hopefully that means something to Bennies and helps,” she said.
CSB Head Track and Field Coach Robin Balder-Lanoue ’91 was pleased with the junior’s history-making accomplishment. And she knows how hard Fiona has worked, which has inspired confidence in the way she competes.
“She executed beautifully,” said BalderLanoue. “She ran her race right from the start. It’s a gutsy way to do it. But she’s confident and running great right now.”
