Video Links:
Induction Speech
Hall of Fame Video
1-on-1 with Christi Smith
Christi Smith, Akron (Women's Track and Field)
Christi Smith is one of the most decorated student athletes from the University of Akron while lettering four years in track. As an undergraduate from 1997-2000, Smith was the first NCAA I national champion in school history and the first multiple All-American in Akron track and field history.
Christi made an impact early on the Akron program under the guidance of Head Coach Dennis Mitchell by setting six school records as a freshman, which included a 20’ 4 ½” effort in the long jump that provisionally qualified her for the NCAA Championships. Smith established five more school records in 1998 and, in addition, scored 29 points to earn the Most Valuable Performer at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships.
As a senior in 2000, Smith captured the heptathlon (100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200 meter dash, long jump, javelin and 800 meter run) with a school and MAC record-breaking 5,797 points at the NCAA I National Championship in Durham, N.C. This achievement was rewarded by being named an All-American for the fourth time in her collegiate career.
Smith also earned All-America accolades by finishing ninth in the NCAA I heptathlon as a sophomore in 1998, by finishing second in the event at the 1999 national championship and with a ninth place finish in the long jump at the 1999 NCAA I Indoor Championship. In addition, Smith, who had 11 wins in the long jump, triple jump, pentathlon, and heptathlon events at the MAC Indoor and Outdoor Track Championships between 1998-2000, earned first-team All-MAC honors seven times.
As a result, the Columbus, Ohio native became the first female athlete in school history to be voted the Caroline Pardee Female Athlete of the Year three times from 1998-2000. In 2000 Smith, who carried a 3.36 GPA in physical education, earning first team Academic All-MAC honors, was the first Akron female athlete to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials and was a finalist for the NCAA’s James E. Sullivan Leadership Award.
After graduating in 2002, Smith entered the college track coaching ranks, first at Ohio University then Kent State and for the last four seasons at the University of Iowa. Smith currently resides in Iowa City, Iowa.
