SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State University Director of Athletics Kyle Moats officially announced Monday the hiring of Taryn Smiley as a full-time assistant track and field coach beginning on Jan. 10.
Smiley joined the Missouri State track and field staff as a graduate assistant in the fall of 2020 to oversee the sprinters. In her first season as a coach, Smiley led Madison Meredith to five individual conference titles. She also saw four athletes earn all-conference honors while guiding them to the NCAA regionals which saw one reach the quarterfinals. She also oversaw a 4X100 relay team that won the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference title.
"I moved here seven years ago to pursue my own track and field dream, so it's a special feeling knowing that I will be a part of others pursuing the same dream," said Smiley. "I'm excited to join Jordan and Jake in helping our student-athletes pursue excellence as Bears."
The Duncan, British Columbia, native attended Missouri State from 2015-19 on a track scholarship. She graduated with her Bachelor's degree in Sport Administration in 2020 and completed her Master's of Sport Management in 2021.
While racing for MSU, she was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference team member while recording personal bests of 7.50 (60-meter dash), 11.66 (100-meter dash) and 24.21 (200-meter dash). Smiley also qualified for the NCAA Championships in the 100-meter dash in 2019.
"Being able to add Taryn full-time to the staff does so many tremendous things for this program," said head coach Jordan Fife. "Most notably, we're adding stability. As a Missouri State alum, Taryn has the full experience now, going from a star student-athlete, to a graduate assistant, to a full-time coach. Having someone in that position who has been here as long as she has and plans to be here moving forward will be great for recruiting and retention. There's also nobody more passionate about Missouri State than Taryn and I'm confident that our recruits will pick up on that immediately. I'm very excited for Taryn to get this opportunity and I'm looking forward to what we can accomplish together with her and the rest of our staff."
The Missouri State track and field team will kick off its 2022 season at the Deloss Dodds Invitational on Jan. 22 in Manhattan, Kan.
Smiley's hire is contingent upon formal approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.
