FMU Signs Lexington Cross Country Runner

FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University cross country coach Mark Bluman has announced the signing of Samantha Smith of Lexington to a national letter of intent to attend FMU and run for the Patriot women this fall.

Smith, 5-2, is a product of Lexington High School, where she ran under the direction of coach Stephanie MacDowell.

Last fall, she competed in the AAAA state cross country championship meet and finished the 5,000-meter race with a time of 23:36 as the Wildcats finished 20th in the team standings. She placed 78th in the same meet as a junior with a time of 21:27 as Lexington finished 11th in the team standings.

She was a member of her high school’s National Honor Society.

“I am excited to have Samantha join our program,” Bluman said. “She is a quality student-athlete in every way. She will add depth to our squad and should improve with collegiate experience.”

Francis Marion loses one senior from its 2007 women’s squad that placed sixth at the Peach Belt Conference Championship Meet and 21st at the NCAA Division II South Region Championship Meet.