Cross country and track star is headed to Duke.
Holy Trinity (Hicksville, N.Y.) senior Colleen Schmidt committed to Duke University to run cross country and track and field. Colleen is one of the best runners Long Island has seen and has a great running career.
Schmidt felt like Duke was the best fit for her, "I picked Duke because the school, the program, and the team were the best fit for me. I felt the most comfortable with Coach Jermyn and Coach Wort and I believe that I'll be challenged both academically and athletically." Schmidt said. "I'm hoping to just best what I've done in high school, in college. I also hope to try some new events and just enjoy every minute of it."
Holy Trinity track and field coach Justin Renna thinks Schmidt will continue her success at Duke, "I think colleen will continue to grow as a runner and a person. She will help Duke maintain their position at the top of the ACC."
Schmidt is having one of the best running careers in Holy Trinity history. During her junior season Schmidt won the CHSAA Title in the cross country championship, the indoor 1500m,the 3000m, the outdoor 1500m and, 3000m. She also won the NSCHSAA championships in cross country , the indoor 1500m,the 3000m, the outdoor 1500m and, 3000m.
During the cross country season she competed in the Footlocker Cross Country National meet in San Diego, California where she placed 27th. She competed in the New York Federation championships in cross country , indoor track and outdoor track. During the winter season she competed with milers in the nation in the Milrose games, where she placed fourth. Schmidt also set eight school records: in the Sunken Meadow Park cross country 2.5 mile and 5k courses , The indoor and outdoor 1500m and mile , and the indoor and outdoor 3000m.
Schmidt continued her success this past cross country season when she repeated as CHSAA and NSCHSAA champion. She also qualified for the New York State Federation Championship Meet where she finished seventh. This was big for Schmidt because she was battling injuries all season.
Renna was happy to see Schmidt finish as well as she did. "Colleen is a wonderful athlete. She gutted her way through a season in which she dealt with vast amounts of injuries and caused her to miss a ton of time." Renna said, "However when the biggest races of the season came around she was ready to roll. I am excited to see what she can do when totally healthy."
As for her college career Schmidt just wants to be healthy and competing in the sport that she loves. "I'm hoping to get myself healthy again and just pick up where I should be," she said. "Of course I'd love to go to states and nationals."
