June 10, 2011
DES MOINES, Iowa -
Sophomore Brittany Smith just missed earning First-Team All-America honors in the hammer throw with her ninth-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Des Moines, Iowa at Drake Stadium. Smith finished the championships with a throw of 205-09, making her a Second-Team All-American.
Head track and field coach Elvis Forde understands the disappointment Smith feels missing the top-eight, but also notes that she had strong throws against tough competition.
"I know that right now it is hard for Brittany since she just missed being a First-Team All-American, but she is still a Second-Team All-American and that is a great accomplishment," said Forde. "She had good throws today and was really close to her PR (personal best) of 206-03. When you get that close and have good throws you can't be upset with yourself. She was facing tough competition and at the end she just missed top honors, but she has done an excellent job early in her career."
In the trials round, Smith threw the hammer 205-09 in her first attempt, but fouled on her final two attempts. The two fouls didn't affect Smith, as her first throw advanced her on to the final round. Smith recorded a mark of 201-01 in her first attempt of the finals round followed by a throw of 197-10. Smith fouled in her last attempt of the finals round.
Smith qualified for the NCAA Championships with a 10th-place finish in the hammer throw with a mark of 191-01 at the West Region Preliminary Round in Eugene, Ore.
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