Former Lander Swim Club member Meredith Smithbaker was honored as “Freshman of the Meet” at the Mountain West Swimming Championships last weekend in College Station, Texas. The San Diego State University freshman was fourth in the 100 meter freestyle and swam on two first place relays for the Mountain West champion Aztecs.
Smithbaker competed for the Lander Swim Club as an elementary school student before moving with her family to Colorado Springs where she swam for Team Vortex from 2014 to 2021.
She competed in the US Open and qualified for Olympic team swim trials in two events.
Smithbaker was a three-time Scholastic All-American in the 50-freestyle, 100-freestyle, and 200-freestyle relay.
She lettered three times for Rocky Mountain High School and earned Seven First-Team All-Front Range honors before accepting a scholarship to San Diego State. She holds the Front Range record in the 50-freestyle.
Smithbaker holds Rocky Mountain school records in 50 and 100-freestyle, the 100-breaststroke and as a member of the 200 medley, 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relays.
She is majoring in graphic arts at San Diego State.