March 13, 2004

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The Providence College men's and women's indoor track teams competed in the first day at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship in Fayetteville, Ark. on Friday, March 13. The first day of competition was highlighted by PC junior Kim Smith (Auckland, New Zealand), who was victorious in the 5,000 meters in record time. Smith became the fifth athlete at PC and first since Marie McMahon in 1996 to capture an NCAA individual title.

Smith ran the 5,000 meters in a time of 15:14.18, setting new collegiate record in the event. She finished the race more than 30 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. The old record (15:17.28) was set in 1991. In addition, Smith, who earlier this season broke the PC record in the 5,000 meters (15:18.54), set the PC record again in the event.

Also on the women's side, sophomore Fiona Crombie (Christchurch, New Zealand) placed seventh in the preliminaries of the mile run in a time of 4:45.26.

On the men's side, graduate student Adam Sutton (Preston, England) finished eighth in the 5,000 meters as he recorded a time of 14:03.47.

he final day of competition will be on Saturday, March 13. Smith will compete in the 3,000 meters on the women's side, while junior Dylan Wykes (Kingston, Ontario) also will run the 3,000 meters on the men's side.

Providence Women's Finishers
EVENT           PLACE   ATHLETE         TIME
5,000 meters    1st     Kim Smith       15:14.18 -- New Collegiate Record
Mile            7th     Fiona Crombie   4:45.26 -- Preliminaries


Providence Men's Finishers
EVENT           PLACE   ATHLETE         TIME
5,000 meters    8th     Adam Sutton     14:03.47