Missouri State

Taryn Smiley was announced as a full-time track and field assistant coach on Jan. 10, 2022, after joining the Missouri State track and field staff as a graduate assistant in the fall of 2020 to oversee the sprinters.

In 2023-24, Smiley saw sprinter Olivia Rogers qualify for the finals of the 60-meter dash at the MVC Indoor Championship. She was the only freshman to qualify and finished fourth in the conference. Whitney Farrington qualified for the 400-meter finals at both conference meets under Smiley's leadership. At the MVC Outdoor CHampionship, both relay teams finished in the top-5 in the finals.

Smiley's sprinters saw success in year two under the assistant coach, as Calandra Henry continued to find success under her leadership. Henry captured four, top-three finishes between the indoor and outdoor conference championships including a conference title in the 60-meter dash during the indoor season. Two of Smiley's sprinters set Missouri State school records in both the indoor 200-meter and 300-meter dash during the 2022-23 season, as well. 

In her first full-time season, Smiley saw Madison Meredith capture six individual event titles along with three of the top-five 60-meter times in Missouri State's history including the school record. Smiley also coached Meredith in the sprinter's NCAA Indoor Championships appearance to cap the season. During the outdoor season, Smiley oversaw Calandra Henry's breakout season and capture runner-up and third place finishes in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash at the MVC Outdoor Championships. 

In her first season as a graduate assistant, 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. 

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.