Simon Fraser University track and field alumni Jessica Smith and Helen Crofts wrapped up their Summer Universiade experience in the finals of the 800-metre competition in Kazan, Russia on Tuesday.
Running their third race in as many days, Smith and Crofts finished sixth and seventh, respectively. Smith finished with a season-best time of 2:00.43, just shy of hitting the A standard of 2:00.00 for the world championship. Crofts finished in a time of 2:03.30 out of the seventh lane.
Both runners will be back in action on July 16 in Lignano, Italy, where they will continue to try and hit the standard to qualify for the worlds.
Smith finished her Clan career during the 2011 cross-country season with a second-place finish at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship. She did not move on to the regional competition because SFU was still a provisional member of the NCAA at the time.
After concluding her NCAA eligibility, Smith focused her efforts on the 800-metres in the spring of 2012 and qualified for the London Olympics, reaching the semifinals at the Games.
Crofts graduated from the Clan at the end of this season, winning a national championship in the indoor 800m in March and the outdoor competition in May to wrap up her Clan career with two NCAA titles.
Both athletes are former NAIA champions prior to the Clan's move to the NCAA. Crofts still holds the NAIA record in the 800m.
