Post-Roy Griak comments from Kim Smith and Missy Buttry

Reported by Chris Fox

Kim Smith (left) and Missy Buttry run together at the 2003 Roy Griak Invitational. (Photo: Chris Fox)

Chris Fox caught up with Providence College's Kim Smith and Wartburg's Missy Buttry after they finished 1-2, respectively, at the Roy Griak Invitational September 27.

Missy Buttry

On the race:
It was a really good race, I felt good and everything. It was a fun race because me and the girl from Providence just kept going back and forth. It was a little frustrating at the end, I just kind of mentally gave up instead of trying to stick with her all the way, but other than that it was a good race, and I felt really good.

On the early part of the race:
It was a really good pace; I think we ran our first mile in 5:08 or so; that was the fastest mile I've gone out in.

On her goals for the season:
My goal is to win nationals, to repeat. We're going out to the [USATF National Club Cross Country Championships]. I'd like to go out there and win it this year (she was third last year).

On her training:
I've been hitting between 70-75 miles and I just kind of built up in the summer and did a lot of strength work.

Kimberly Smith

On the race:
It was good, it was a good pace. The girl that was second was tough. It was a hard race, we were changing the lead.

On her collegiate experience thus far:
In 2000 I was here [representing] a different university in Louisiana, just a small university. I went back home; then I came [to Providence College] and I had to sit out a year because I was a double-transfer student. There was another [runner] from New Zealand who used to go to Providence, Hamish Thorpe.

On her training:
I stayed in Providence for the summer [and ran] around 70 miles a week, I guess.

On her team:
I like it at Providence a lot; it's really good having Mary Cullen to train with. We train together all the time, it makes it a lot easier.

(Posted October 14, 2003)