Indiana University Athletics
Spotlight on Erin Smith
9/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
March 19, 2005
Only Senior Swimmer on the Team Written By: Doug Klausen
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior Erin Smith brings to the team the most experience and leadership, but also the chance for an open mind to each of her teammates.
"I feel honored because the girls seem to accept me as one of them and not someone higher than them," Smith said. "I hope what I have passed on to the team the most is having respect for everyone, but not being afraid to express your thoughts."
Being a senior, Smith has filed many highlights after being at IU, but her fondest one comes when she was a part of winning the Big Ten Championships in 2003. The Kansas City, Mo., native has been an All-American since her freshman year. Additionally, she placed second at the U.S. Open as she swam a leg as part of the 800-meter freestyle relay. She also earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades her sophomore season while breaking the 100-yard butterfly school record.
Her junior year, she placed in the top five in both the 100-yard butterfly, resetting her own school record, and 50-yard freestyle. While a junior at the 2004 NCAA Championships, she attained her highest placing of eighth by swimming the third leg in the 200 meter freestyle relay. In her final season as a Hoosier, she won 22 event titles during the regular season and scored points in six of her seven events at the 2005 Big Ten Championships.
