Loreal Smith - Track & Field Coach

Loreal Smith

Title:
Assistant Coach

Loreal Smith is beginning her second season as an assistant coach at USC. She had a great impact during her first season working with the hurdlers, helping guide Aleec Harris to a school and Pac-12 record. Also, Harris, Lauren Blackburn and Jaide Stepter all won Pac-12 titles. "It was important to me to round out a balanced staff for USC program and Loreal is a perfect complement for the staff we have in place," said Director of Track & Field Caryl Smith Gilbert. "Loreal brings with her excitement and positive energy to the program and is an up and coming coach with a bright future. She will assist in all areas of the program." Smith served the previous several seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Florida, following an outstanding hurdling career at North Carolina A&T. She reached the semifinals in the women's 100m HH at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. Smith was seventh at the 2009 NCAA Championships in the 100m HH and was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year that season for her excellence in academics, athletics, service and leadership. Smith was an All-American hurdler and collected conference championship titles in the 60m hurdles (twice), 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles and as part of N.C. A&T's 4x100m relay team. Smith was the only Lady Aggie ever to run the 100m hurdles in less than 13 seconds boasting a time of 12.97 at the 2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Prior to graduation, the Sports Science and Fitness Management major received the A&T Scholar Athlete Award and was named to two consecutive Commissioner's All-Academic Teams (2008 and 2009). Smith graduated with a 3.33 GPA. Off the track, Smith volunteered for many non-profit organizations and schools and helped raise awareness for special causes such as Breast Cancer and AIDS. Smith has continued her philanthropy by spearheading the USC Track & Field teams community efforts since her arrival on campus. In 2011, Smith took seventh in the 100m HH at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The next year at the U.S. Olympic Trials, she placed 17th with a time of 13.10, running 13.09 in the preliminaries to advance to the semifinals.