VOL 120, ISSUE 16 - March 9th, 2023

12
THURSDAY
MAR 9,
2023
DONS PLAYER PROFILE: RUBY SMEE
JOHN PAOLO
Staff Writer
SPORTS
Fourth-year distance runner Ruby Smee is one the most accomplished athletes
in the history of the cross country and track and field program at USF. She is the first
person to consecutively qualify for the NCAA Track and Field National Championships
in school history, holds the school record for the 3,000 meter run with a time
of 9:04.93, was named All-American in 2021 for her 34th place performance in the
NCAA cross country championship, and received the Anne Dolan Award from USF
for her 2021-2022 season, an award honoring the female student athlete of the year
at the school. Those are just a few of the many achievements she has racked up in the
two years she has been eligible to compete at USF.
Running has always been a part of Smee’s life. “Both my parents have run since
they were teenagers and they still run to this day… so I just naturally fell into it,” she
said. Although she had a lot of success running in high school, what made her fall in
love with the sport is how it builds community. “[Running] is really social. I’ve met a
lot of my friends, especially here [at USF], through it… You can be really vulnerable
with people on those [long runs], and get to know each other really well,” said Smee.
Growing up in Tasmania, Australia, Smee “took a shot in the dark” when deciding
to come to USF. “When I moved here, I’d never been to the United States
before… it was a big risk,” Smee said to the Foghorn. Thanks to the diversity of San
Francisco and its unique landscape, the move was not as much of a culture shock
as Smee expected. Her only surprise was how intense academics are in the United
States, “[School] just seems smaller scale and less intense in Australia,” she said. Smee
has been able to adjust, as she was named a member of the all-academic team by the
U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association in 2022.
Smee first came to USF in 2019, but was ineligible to compete because of the
school credit requirements the NCAA has, meaning she was forced to redshirt, forgoing
the season but saving her year of eligibility. Then with the COVID-19 pandemic
preventing any chance of her competing in 2020, Smee was already halfway through
her undergrad before she had the opportunity to race.
“When I found out that I wasn’t allowed to race at all, it was really hard, because
that’s why I came here… but looking back, I think it’s been a good thing because I
was able to mature a bit before I ended up competing,” said Smee.
Smee hopes to run professionally after her time in college. She emphasized that
as long as she is consistent and continues to push towards new PRs, she believes she
can accomplish her professional running goals and get a chance to compete in the
Olympics. Smee is graduating this semester but with two more years of collegiate
eligibility, she still has plenty of time before entering the pro scene.
Ruby Smee is one of USF’s top female athletes. PHOTOS
COURTESY OF CHRIS M. LEUNG/DONS ATHLETICS