By Isaac Cox, March 25, 2025
Neshara Smith finished third in the nation with a time of 8.33 seconds during the 60-meter hurdles race at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championship in her first season on the Cal Poly Pomona women’s track & field team.
“I knew it was going to be a strain to try and get first, but I knew I wasn’t getting anything less than top five,” Smith said. “Just to prove to myself in the prelims that I am standing at No. 3 overall, and I’m going to keep that spot. I refuse to get anything lower.”
Women’s track and field assistant coach Ian Jennings said when Smith crossed the finish line during the DII Championships in Indianapolis, she had a smile on her face and tears of joy in her eyes because of all the hard work she’s put in to eventually qualify for the invitational and becoming an All-American.
These weren’t the first of Smith’s accolades during her first season. She was also named Athlete of the Week honors and holds the school records for indoor long jump, indoor 60-meter hurdles and indoor pentathlon.
Smith, who has been training since she was 3, said her faith, family, coaches and teammates have played a significant role in her journey.
“I prayed, and my meet-day music is church music,” Smith said. “I would not be here where I am without the Lord.”
The coaches, according to Smith, were the main reason why she committed to CPP. She also emphasized how meaningful it was for Jennings to attend the invitational with her.
“He was so happy,” Smith said. “He was happy that both (of) our hard work paid off, and he was ecstatic. I cried because I was grateful.”
Sprinter and middle-distance runner Yasmeen Delgado said Smith is a competitor, expects a lot from herself, and the hard work shows from the results.
“She’s pretty motivating,” Delgado said. “You will always know where Nene’s at because you can hear her yelling. And she is an extremely hard worker. She is always working well, even with others, and she’s a star.”
While Smith made history during the invitational, she overcame injuries to get there, ranging from an MCL strain, torn hamstrings and a perennial strain.
“It was just setback after setback after setback,” Smith said.
Her coaches helped by giving her light workouts like running on a high jump mat, a pool vault pit and boxes. She also said Jennings was creative and had her do workouts when she couldn’t run, allowing her to work on her technique.
She described the process as mentally and physically exhausting, but it made for a stronger return.
“Having that technical training like the base helped me come back even stronger when I was fully ready and able to practice and run and do what I know what I can do,” said Smith. “… It came full circle when that trophy got put in my hands.”
While the journey has been difficult and painful, she explains how it has been fulfilling, compassionate and very eye-opening.
“Life is like a rocky mountain that you have to keep on climbing.” Smith said. “And sometimes you slip, sometimes you fall, but you just have to keep going.”
Smith still has big plans to achieve this season, including making outdoor nationals.
“Better believe it and top three, nothing less at nationals,” she said. “But in the outdoor season, I thrive. It’s my time.”
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
