Loree Smith Wins National Championship At NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Competition

Smith becomes the first-ever national champion in school history.

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June 11, 2005

Sacramento, CALIF. - Posting the three best throws in the women's hammer competition, Colorado State senior Loree Smith became the first-ever national champion in school history, winning the hammer throw at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship with a throw of 224-8.

Smith entered as the top thrower in NCAA history with her record of 229-9 from earlier this season and was second after the preliminaries at the NCAA Championship. She then threw 220-9 on her second throw of the day to take the lead and never relinquish her lead. Her fifth throw increased her lead with a throw of 222-6 and then on her sixth and final throw of the day, she threw the winning throw of 224-8.

"I was so nervous today, but I tried to hide it," said Smith. "When you are the underdog you have someone to shoot for, but when you're the favorite, you're almost competing not to lose.

Smith becomes the first-ever NCAA champion in school history for a woman at Colorado State.

Junior Cristina Gourdin also began the second day of competition in the heptathlon, but did not finish due to a lingering ankle injury.

Smith, senior Adam Trainor and senior Mike Nicks have all qualified with the `A' standard for the USA National Championships in two weeks in Carson, Calif., from June 23-26.