Head Coach Mike Spooner Recaps 2022 Season
Katie Smock Reacts to All-Region Honors
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - For the first time since 2018, Carson-Newman has two women earn All-Region Honors. Sophomore Imke Van Gog and Junior Katie Smock received accolades after finishing 11th and 19th at the NCAA DII Southeast Cross Country Regionals.
The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) awards All-Regional honors to individuals who finish their regional race inside the top 24 runners. Eligible individuals must be members of a USTFCCCA-recognized school.
"It feels very good. It is very rewarding to hit that marker," Smock said. "I'm very pleased with how we performed as a team, and it is good for when we head into next season."
Smock was the top runner for the Eagles at three events, The Golden Eagle Invitational, The Asics Invitational, and The SAC Championships. Van Gog was the top runner for the Eagles at two events, The University of Alabama at Huntsville and the Southeast Regionals.
Smock began the season with a 19th place finish at the Fleet Feet Invitational with a time of 20:29.1. Van Gog placed 23rd with a time of 20:33.7. Smock followed up her performance with a 16th place finish at the Golden Eagle Invitational, where she recorded a time of 25:02.5. Van Gog placed 5th with a time of 23:58.2.
Smock set a personal best 5K time at the Asics Invitational, which helped the Eagles earn a third-place finish at the event. Smock crossed the line with a time of 18:39.57, good enough for 14th place. Van Gog finished 16th with a time of 18:49.97.
"That race was a really good marker for me," Smock said. "It was a good confidence builder that helped me break that barrier to finish under 19. Running that high up and knowing I could be with that top pack helped me find some confidence. I look forward to going back next year."
Van Gog set a personal best 5K time at the University of Alabama at Huntsville Invitational with a time of 18:37.9. Smock moved on to the next meet, where she finished with a time of 18:51.7.
"That race allowed me to challenge them and ask them what we need to do to get ready for conference," head coach Mike Spooner said. "It was a big meet with a lot of great teams. It will be the new norm for the team going forward."
They began postseason play at the SAC Championships, where they both took home Third-Team All-Conference honors. Smock was the first Eagle to cross the line. She earned 19th place with a time of 23:42.1. Van Gog finished 21st with a time of 23:55.7.
The dominant duo finished the year strong, earning the All-Region Honors at the NCAA DII Southeast Cross Country Regionals. Van Gog finished 11th place at the event with a time of 22:31.1, setting a new personal best in a 6K race. Smock earned 19th place with a time of 22:53.4, setting a personal best in a 6K race.
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