Smatlak Takes 18th in Nationals

Anderson University women's track and field senior Emily Smatlak (Lynnwood, Wash./Lynnwood) took 18th place in the javelin with a throw of 36.95 meters (121 feet, 2.75 inches) during the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships on Thursday in Greensboro, N.C.

Smatlak made her second appearance in the national meet after securing 18th in the javelin as a sophomore.

"The meet definitely didn't go as planned," Smatlak said. "I wanted to have three good throws and at least hit 40 meters. Instead, I had two sector fouls because I released too high. My last throw had the right point, had the right tip, but it didn't go as far as it should have. My experience outside of the meet has been fantastic and I've really enjoyed being [at nationals]."

"[Thursday's] results were disappointing," Coach Sol Stephens said. "Every time a Raven goes to an NCAA meet, there are two goals: get an event PR and get a trophy. Neither were accomplished. I know the effort and dedication she's given to get to this point, so I understand her disappointment. The nervousness of the performance was prevalent at the start. I don't think in all three years that she's had two straight sector fouls. The last throw wasn't far enough. The little details have been tended to, but the result just didn't come, so we're going to move on from it."

Smatlak met the top 19 cutoff to qualify for the national meet and entered the meet ranked 14th in the nation. During the Pacesetter Sports Invitational, Smatlak fired the javelin a school-record distance of 42.10 meters (138 feet, 1.5 inches) to hit her mark that secured a national bid. As a sophomore, Smatlak initially broke the school record with a throw of 41.47 meters (136 feet, 0.75 inches) to earn her spot at nationals.

During her career, Smatlak captured the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) javelin title as a sophomore and set the HCAC Meet record with a throw of 39.72 meters (130 feet, 3.75 inches). Smatlak locked up second in the javelin during the conference meet as a senior. She also competed on three different all-conference relays in her career. Smatlak has been named the HCAC Field Athlete of the Week four times. She has collected United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) all-region honors for the javelin twice in her career. Smatlak has received academic all-HCAC honors in each of the three years she has been eligible and has been named Anderson's HCAC Sportsmanship award recipient a combined four times. She also projected to be named as a USTFCCCA All-Academic individual for the second time in her career.

"All in all, [Thursday] was a blessing for the NCAA meet opportunity that so many strive for but do not achieve," Stephens said. "It's been an honor and a privilege to coach Emily. She has been an absolute within the program and her contributions behind the scoresheet are unparalleled. She's given everything that was asked from her. She's leaving Anderson as a two-time national qualifier, school record holder and an honors graduate. I'll say she's had a great time with the flock and now she's going to make an even bigger difference in the world."

"Overall, my career has been pretty good," Smatlak said. "I've had my ups and downs. Sophomore year, I was a lot more consistent. This year, I was able to hit a lot higher mark than my sophomore year. Overall, I am proud of myself and I think I should be happy with where I've gone. I've really enjoyed being a part of the team and growing as a person, as a student-athlete and as an academic here at AU. [To future AU track and field student-athletes], keep putting in the work and listen to what your coaches tell you to do because it will pay off in the end."