Catching Up with SDSU Student-Athlete Asia Smith

On February 27, San Diego State University track and field student-athlete Asia Smith won the pentathlon at the Mountain West Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She set or tied a new personal record in all five events on her way to scoring 4,075 points, the second most in SDSU’s indoor program history.

Her score earned her a spot at the 2020 NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, making her one of three pentathletes from non-Power Five schools to qualify.

On March 12, Smith was in Albuquerque, along with the Aztec 4x400-meter relay team, set to compete against the nation's best the following day, when the NCAA announced it was canceling the all remaining winter and spring championships, including the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

GoAztecs.com recently spoke with Smith, an Escondido, California native, about her breakout indoor season and what she attributes her success to.

You won gold in the pentathlon at the Mountain West Indoor Championships while setting or tying personal records in all five events. Take us through that day and the feeling you had once you secured first place.

I was pretty nervous going into the conference championships. My goal was to qualify for nationals. My nerves went away when I walked into the [Albuquerque] Convention Center. We have competed there many times, so it was a nice and familiar feeling.

I was surprised by how well I ran the 60-meter hurdles, my first event. I had been training really hard all year and every meet I beat by personal record by a little. Then all of a sudden, I broke out 0.2 seconds faster. After that race I knew I was going to have a good meet.

My proudest moment was my final event, the 800-meter run. It's been a crucial determiner of my place at every multi I've competed in. I beat my time from last season by six seconds and it was the very first time I didn't drop down a place after running it. When they announced that I scored 4,075, I was surprised with myself. I had a good feeling that I had qualified for nationals and it felt unreal.

Your pentathlon score was the second-best in SDSU's indoor history and the top indoor score ever for an Aztec junior. What do those type of accomplishments mean to you?

Having my name in the SDSU record books is an amazing feeling. Coach Shelia Burrell always emphasizes leaving your legacy as an Aztec. Being recognized alongside former Aztecs like Shanieka Thomas-Ricketts, Allison Reaser Halverson, Ashley Henderson and Bonnie Draxler is such an honor, but I won't be fully satisfied until I get a school record in either the heptathlon or pentathlon.

You have improved each year at SDSU, what (or who) do you attribute your success to?

I have improved each year because of our program. As a former Olympic heptathlete, Coach Burrell knows exactly what it takes to win individually and as a team. I push myself to do better so I can be a good representation of an Aztec and encourage my teammates to do the same. I want to prove San Diego State is just as good, or better, than any Power Five school.  

Why did you choose to come to SDSU?

I'm from North County, so I think SDSU was a perfect place for me. I'm close enough to home, but far enough to have independence. On top of that, I could tell Coach Burrell was knowledgeable and would push me to be successful.  

What influence has Coach Burrell had on your career?

Coach B (Burrell) has helped me reach potential I never thought I had. There aren't enough words to express how grateful I am to be her athlete. She is good at reading people, so she knows how to coach me in a way that can understand. I have such a good relationship with her, and she has inspired me to be outstanding in all aspects of my life.

Who is your favorite athlete?

My favorite athlete is [American sprinter] Allyson Felix. Not only is she talented on the track, but she is an advocate for other women and mothers. To me, it is important to have a purpose to what you are doing. I hope to use my voice to help others the way she has.

What is your major? What is your dream job? 

I'm currently majoring in communication, and I am picking up a minor in television, film, and new media. I am considering becoming a professional athlete when I graduate. After that, I want to work as a broadcaster. My ultimate goal would be to host a reality or game show.