Valparaiso University

2024 CSC Academic All-District 

2024-25: Opened the season with a top-five finish at the Blue & Gold Invitational on Dec. 6… Recorded his outdoor season best shotput of 14.88m (48-10) at the Badger Challenge on May 2… Had his season-best discus throw at the MVC Track and Field Championships on May 17-18… Was awarded College Sports Communicators Academic All-District… Earned MVC Honor Roll, Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award and Presidential Academic Honors Award.

2024: Ranked third in program history in the indoor shot put at 51-6.25, the program’s best mark in that event since 2005... Had the third best outdoor shot put in program history and best since 2005 at 51-6.25... Earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors... Had a PR in the shot put at 15.70m (51-6.25) at the GVSU Big Meet on Feb. 10... Had a personal best in the weight throw of 12.45m (40-10.25) at the MVC Indoor Championships on Feb. 25-26... Had a hammer throw PR of 34.89m (114-6) on April 5-6 at the SIU Bill Cornell Invite... Turned in his top discus throw of 45.09m (147-11) at the Sycamore Open on April 27... Earned Valparaiso University Presidential Academic Honors.

Prep: Conference champion in the discus... Two-time conference champion in the shot put... Sectional runner-up in the shot put and discus... Regional qualifier in the shot put and discus... IHSAA state qualifier in the shot put... Outstanding Male Athlete Award... Two-time Track & Field MVP... Also competed in cheer... Dean’s list in 2022-23... Tore his left ACL and re-tore his right ACL in football his senior year of high school and still threw well enough to make it to the IHSAA state championship that year.

Personal: Majoring in elementary education... Son of Vanessa and Priest Smith... Has a sister, Kayla... Works on cars in his spare time... Has an automotive racing team with his friends where he does rallycross... Member of the Valpo cheer team.