March 16, 2011
ST. LOUIS -
Illinois State sophomore thrower Brittany Smith was named the Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week Wednesday, as announced by MVC Commissioner Doug Elgin. Smith received the recognition after she finished third in the shot put at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships where she earned All-America honors.
With her throw of 56-04.75 in the shot put, Smith set a school record and personal-best mark on her first throw of the qualifying round. Despite fouling on three of her next five attempts, the first effort was good enough to give her third place in the competition, where she was seeded to finish 17th in the field of 21. The sophomore recorded personal-best efforts and school records in both the shot put and weight throw during the 2011 indoor season. Smith accomplished the feat in the weight throw (65-01.50) at the Keck Invitational (Feb. 5) and recorded 14 top-three finishes throughout the season in the shot put and weight throw combined.
The Oak Park, Ill., native has a 3.72 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) in mathematics.
Now in its 12th year of existence, The Valley's Scholar-Athlete program is sponsored by Prairie Farms, Roberts and Hiland Dairies. On a weekly basis, the Conference honors its student-athletes for their athletic performance for a one-week period and academic success in the classroom.
To qualify for Prairie Farms/Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.
The Redbirds will open the 2011 outdoor track and field season at the Saluki Spring Invitational Saturday, March 26, in Carbondale, Ill.
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