Kristen Smith was looking for a university where she could fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a doctor and where she could continue running.
She found quite a few schools, but Michigan State University stood out for her and on Feb. 11, Smith signed on to run cross country and track.
‘I feel really relieved,? said Smith. ‘It’s a big burden off of my shoulders. I feel like I made the right decision.?
MSU does not have a pre-medicine program, so Smith will focus her studies on Biology to get her a step closer to her goal of becoming a pediatrician.
‘She came back from her weekend visit and kind of had her mind made up at that point that’s where she wanted to go,? said dad, Doug Smith.
A few factors helping with the decision were the girls, the coaches, and it would be close to home.
‘She just had a really good feeling at state,? said mom, Linda Smith.
Kristen ran cross country during seventh grade and ran in track in eighth grade.
Coach Jamie LaBrosse took noticed and started to recruit her for cross country when she entered high school.
‘He recruited her very heavily,? Linda remembered. ‘Every time he came, she ran away. But he got her, he won. We owe him a lot.?
During her last season on the cross country team, Kristen ran into seventh place at the Division I state meet in the fall, with 17:59. She led the girls team during the regional finals and took second place.
She has been named All-State for cross country three times and track twice.
‘Michigan State got a great athlete,? said Girls Cross Country Coach Mike Franko. ‘Hopefully she has a lot of luck there.?
Kristen is in training for her track season to begin. For the last few years she has placed in the top five. Her track coach, John Yorke sees Kristen placing in the top two, if not first place this summer.
‘She’s a hard worker,? said Yorke. ‘It’s exciting to see her sign. I think she will do well there.?
Her hard work was one of the attributes MSU noticed about her.
Distance Assistant Coach Kim McGreevy from MSU did most of the recruiting.
‘We’re excited she is joining us,? said Walt Drenth, Director of Track & Field and Cross Country.
Drenth mentioned what stood out about Kristen were her talent, her competitiveness, and her part in a successful program.
‘We thought all of those could help us,? said Drenth.
MSU finished third in the Big Ten and 11th at NCAA Championships.