RALEIGH, N.C. - Meredith College Athletics has welcomed Avery Smith to the Department of Athletics as an assistant coach for the track & field and cross country programs.

Smith joins the Avenging Angels after spending the past two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for cross country and track & field at North Central College, where she completed her master's degree in Sports Leadership in May 2026. During her time at North Central, Smith worked extensively with both distance and sprint athletes, assisted with strength and conditioning, and gained experience leading practices while adapting workouts to meet the individual needs of student-athletes.

Smith also played an integral role in recruiting for the North Central program, utilizing meet scouting, social media outreach, high school visits and relationships with coaches to identify prospective student-athletes. She successfully recruited eight cross country athletes for the 2026-27 season.

In addition to her coaching and recruiting responsibilities, Smith gained extensive experience with the day-to-day operations of a collegiate track & field and cross country program, including meet administration, travel coordination, event operations, equipment organization and team logistics. She also monitored study hours for first-year student-athletes, helping North Central achieve 100 percent eligibility during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons.

A former Division III student-athlete herself, Smith competed at Illinois Wesleyan University from 2020-24, specializing in sprints and hurdles. She earned seven All-CCIW honors during her career, including conference honors in the 60-meter hurdles, 60 meters, 100 meters, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay. She was also a three-time Academic All-CCIW selection and served as a team captain during her senior season.

Before beginning her collegiate coaching career, Smith served as an assistant coach and intern with the Central Illinois Track Club, working with elementary through high school athletes and leading warm-ups, drills, workouts and recovery sessions.

Smith earned her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology & Allied Health with a minor in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan in 2024. 

"I am super excited for this opportunity to lead such a strong group of young women," said Smith. "I am looking forward to seeing what this year will bring."

With her experience as both a Division III student-athlete and coach, Smith brings a strong understanding of the student-athlete experience, recruiting and the development of athletes both on and off the track to the Meredith program.