Smith named men’s athlete of the week

Feb. 17, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lions thrower collects MIAA honor for second time this year

Missouri Southern State University junior Arley Smith (Pierce City, Mo.) was named MIAA Men’s Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 17).

Smith, a 6-foot-2 and 260-pounder, improved his NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw on Friday at the Missouri Southern Baymont Inn/Fazoli’s Open. He won the event by more than 2.5 feet with his throw of 60 feet, 8.5 inches and helped Southern to a second-place finish in the 19-team men’s field.

The throw was an improvement of 1.25 inches on Smith’s previous provisional mark. He currently ranks seventh in the nation in the weight throw.

It marks the second time this year that Smith, a graduate of Pierce City High School, has been named MIAA Athlete of the Week as he also won the award on Jan. 28.

Smith, an indoor All-America shot putter in 2002, was a national qualifier in the weight throw last year. He also was a three-year starter as a defensive lineman for the Lions’ football team.

Smith is one of six Lions with NCAA Division II indoor provisional marks this season. An NCAA provisional means the student-athlete has met the minimum qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships and will be considered for the national meet field. The 2004 NCAA Division II Championships will be held March 12-13 in Boston, Mass.

The Lions are scheduled to resume action this Saturday in Norman, Okla. at the University of Oklahoma Invitational.


	Feb. 17, 2004 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Smith named men’s athlete of the week Lions thrower collects MIAA honor for second time this year Missouri Southern State University junior Arley Smith (Pierce City, Mo.) was named MIAA Men’s Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday (Feb. 17). Smith, a 6-foot-2 and 260-pounder, improved his NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark in the weight throw on Friday at the Missouri Southern Baymont Inn/Fazoli’s Open. He won the event by more than 2.5 feet with his throw of 60 feet, 8.5 inches and helped Southern to a second-place finish in the 19-team men’s field. The throw was an improvement of 1.25 inches on Smith’s previous provisional mark. He currently ranks seventh in the nation in the weight throw. It marks the second time this year that Smith, a graduate of Pierce City High School, has been named MIAA Athlete of the Week as he also won the award on Jan. 28. Smith, an indoor All-America shot putter in 2002, was a national qualifier in the weight throw last year. He also was a three-year starter as a defensive lineman for the Lions’ football team. Smith is one of six Lions with NCAA Division II indoor provisional marks this season. An NCAA provisional means the student-athlete has met the minimum qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships and will be considered for the national meet field. The 2004 NCAA Division II Championships will be held March 12-13 in Boston, Mass. The Lions are scheduled to resume action this Saturday in Norman, Okla. at the University of Oklahoma Invitational.