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Patrick Smyth

SALT LAKE CITY —Patrick Smyth, a 2005 graduate of Judge Memorial Catholic High School who earned eight varsity letters in two sports, cross country and track, has been named a member of the 2010 Class of Roads Scholars by the Road Runners Club of America.

As a senior, Smyth was the Utah Gatorade Track Athlete of the Year and Utah High School Athletic Association Track Athlete of the Year. He also was nationally ranked in cross country and track during his senior high school season.

Smyth went on to attend Notre Dame University, he was a seven-time All-American – three times in cross country, three in outdoor, and one indoor. During his collegiate career, he was the two-time NCAA Great Lakes Regional champion in cross country, the Big East 5000m champion, and the two-time Big East Outdoor 10,000m champion. He was a three-time qualifier for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, finishing 11th in 2008.

At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2009, Smyth finished fourth in the 10,000 meters. He holds the Notre Dame record for the most sub-14 minute 5000m races (10), including five sub-13:50 performances. He is also the school record holder in the 10,000m with a time of 28:25.85.

At the 2009 USA Outdoor Championships, he finished seventh. In his road debut, Smyth finished fifth at the USA 10k Championships. At the USA Men’s 10 Mile Championship he was third. He placed second at the 2010 USA Half Marathon Championships and then second at the USA Cross Country Championships to become a member of the World Cross Country team. Smyth joined Team USA Minnesota in July 2009.

Since 1996, the Road Runners Club of America has awarded grants totaling over $330,000 through the Roads Scholar®program. The goal of the program is to assist American post collegiate runners who show great promise to develop into national and world-class road running athletes. The grants awarded by the RRCA go directly to the athletes to help support their goals of becoming world-class runners. The RRCA Roads Scholar selection Committee for 2010 included Carl Sniffen, chair; Mike Morgan, former Roads Scholar; Joan Benoit Samuelson, Olympian; Keith Brantley, Olympian; Don Kardong, Olympian; Phil Stewart; Bee McLeod; Brent Ayer and Jean Knaack.