Smatlak Tabbed HCAC Field Athlete of the Week

Anderson University women's track and field standout Emily Smatlak (Lynnwood, Wash./Lynnwood) has been tabbed the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Field Athlete of the Week, which was announced by the conference on Monday.

The Ravens locked up fifth place in last Saturday's Manchester Invitational with a team score of 66.5 points.

Smatlak captured first in the javelin with a throw of 40.11 meters (131 feet, 7.25 inches). The senior from Lynnwood, Wash. currently ranks 11th in the nation and first in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC).

Smatlak also fired the discus a personal-record (PR) throw of 28.67 meters (94 feet, 0.75 inches). The Ravens fielded a 4x400-meter relay team of Emilie Penick (Brookville, Ohio/Brookville), Smatlak, Victoria Baver (Garrett, Ind./Garrett) and Noelle Loller (Lapel, Ind./Lapel) which took fifth with a time of 4 minutes, 37.59 seconds.

"I think the preparation these past couple of weeks was demonstrated in the meet," Smatlak said. "Coach really had me working on techniques: putting together my plant, opening up my arm to get my chest around; and his instruction was really instrumental in my performance [last weekend]. It's really exciting to put the pieces together for a complete throw. There is still a lot of work to do, but I'm excited for the rest of the season and what's left."

Anderson is scheduled to compete in two meets prior to the HCAC Championships. The Ravens will battle in the two-day Little State Championships, beginning on Friday at 3:30 p.m. in Marion. Anderson will then compete in the Huntington Invitational on April 24 at 12 p.m. in Huntington. Smatlak looks to use these meets to continue to develop.

"I'm focusing on my plant, keeping my speed and getting a quick release out of the javelin. Putting all of those things together is really going to help get that one complete throw in."

The Ravens are scheduled to compete in the two-day HCAC Championships, beginning on April 30 at 3 p.m. in Terre Haute. Smatlak is currently projected to qualify for the three-day NCAA D-III Championships, beginning on May 27 in Greensboro, N.C. The list of national qualifiers will get finalized in the later part of May.

"I'm just focusing on the meet in front of me. I'm hoping to add a couple of meters to my throw. That would help solidify my place at nationals because it is not guaranteed, even if I'm qualifying currently. I'm just looking at each meet and tuning up the little pieces that need to be done."