Montana State University Billings' Rae Smart has been named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Field Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week, marking her third honor this season. This recognition follows an impressive performance at the Yellowjacket/Battlin' Bears Dual, where she shattered her own school records in both shot put and javelin while achieving NCAA DII Provisional Qualifying Marks. Her shot put throw of 14.95m now stands as the season's top mark in the GNAC and ranks seventh in conference history. In javelin, her throw of 43.98m elevates her to third in the GNAC rankings and 26th nationally.

By the Numbers
  • Shot put throw: 14.95m (49' 0.75"), surpassing her previous record of 14.59m.
  • Javelin throw: 43.98m (144' 3"), exceeding her previous record of 41.84m.
  • Current GNAC ranking in shot put: 1st.
  • Current national ranking in javelin: 26th.
  • Overall, Smart competes in four events with notable placements in discus and hammer throw.
State of Play
  • Smart is on track to compete in all four events at the GNAC Championships scheduled for May 4-5.
  • The team will participate in their final regular season meet at the Montana Open on April 24-25.
What's Next

As she heads into the GNAC Championships, Smart's performances suggest a strong potential for podium finishes in multiple events, enhancing her national standings in both shot put and javelin.

Bottom Line

Smart's exceptional achievements have not only elevated her status in the conference but also positioned her as a formidable competitor nationally, with expectations high for her upcoming participation in championship events.