NEWS

Screenshot from DavidsonWildcats.com (no photo credit listed)

EUGENE, Ore. – Junior Jayden Smith finished 15th out of the 24-man field to claim Second Team All-American status at the NCAA Track & Field Championships on Wednesday night. He is the second male Wildcat to be named an All-American.

The Richmond, Va. native ran in the final heat of the night and was lined up in lane six. Smith raced out of the blocks with an explosive start and was tied for the lead after the first two hurdles. After the fifth hurdle, Smith remained in striking position near the front of the pack, but down the stretch the rest of the competitors closed in. The third-year product went on to finish sixth in the heat with a time of 13.57 with a 0.4 head-wind. The cut-off mark for Friday’s final ended up being 13.46, a mark Smith hit at the East Regional.

Photo of the ESPN live coverage of Smith’s race.

Wednesday’s time was the third-fastest of Smith’s career and also ranks third in the Davidson record book. In his first NCAA appearance, Smith finished 15th out of the nation’s 24 fastest runners and cemented his spot as a Second Team All-American, becoming the second ‘Cat to do so since Bryce Anthony in 2022.

Smith’s Resume
– Second Team All-American (2024)
– Three-time Regional Qualifier (2022, 2023, 2024)
– Three-time Atlantic 10 110H Champion (2022, 2023, 2024)
– 2023 A-10 Co-Most Outstanding Track Performer (2023)
– Two-time Atlantic 10 60H Champion (2022 & 2023)
– Held a top-ten regional qualifying time in three straight years (2022, 2023, 2024)
– Holds all ten of the program’s top times in the 110H
– Ranks second in program history in the 100M