Kent State Of Mind: Grace Smith
1/30/2026 11:38:00 AM | Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
Kent State Cross Country and Track and Field Athlete Grace Smith sits down with Andrea Filote for the Kent State of Mind Series to discuss her journey to Kent State as a collegiate runner and a student in the Exercise Physiology master's program. As a fourth generation Kent State student, Grace talks about the process of coming to Kent State in her final year of eligibility and following the footsteps of her family as well her relationship with distance coach Laura Rybka at Grove City College.
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AF: This is Kent State of Mind. I'm Andrea Filote and today we have Grace Smith telling us why she chose Kent State. Can you tell us a little about your journey as a student-athlete and what led you to Kent State?
GS: Yes, so I did my undergrad at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and I have my bachelor's in exercise science. So, I was looking to continue my education, but I didn't really want to go to PT school. So I found Kent's exercise physiology master's program. And I really enjoyed when I came on my visit and met the faculty, and it was just a great experience overall. And then I have an extra year of eligibility for track and cross country, so I wanted to use that in my grad school journey. And it just worked out that it would happen here at Kent. So that was another factor in coming over here, was being able to run an extra year.
AF: What stood out to you about Kent State compared to the other programs that you might have considered?
GS: The master's program is very hands-on. A lot of research-based experience, which I really liked. I want to go into strength and conditioning coaching. And they offer a lot of opportunities outside of academics here, just with more hands-on experience with other outside schools or other programs and even just other health facilities around the Midwest area.
AF: You're a fourth generation Kent State student. How did your family ties to the university lead you to come here?
GS: My mom, my grandma, my grandpa, and my great grandparents all came here. So ever since I was little, I always heard stories about Kent State. And my great grandpa actually ran track here as well. That was always fun to hear all the fun stories that they had from their time here. And so actually, when I first was looking at going to college, I wanted to come here. But it just didn't work out. And so having the second opportunity and chance to come back and kind of walk the grounds that a lot of my family members did is really awesome. So, it's a cool opportunity to kind of live on in that generation.
AF: Do you have a lot of passed down Kent State merch or, like, vintage merch that you still wear today?
GS: I actually do. I have a hat that my great grandpa had that has a little Kent State flash on it, and we also have his varsity letterman jacket. My grandma has been meaning to bring it over so I can try it on, because she's like, "Oh, it'd be so fun if you could wear it around." So, yeah, we do have some of that memorabilia.
AF: Have you ever applied your exercise science knowledge to running?
GS: Yeah, and that's actually one of the main reasons why I wanted to go into this field -- was because it was so applicable to not just running, but all sports. My coaches played a really big role in my development as a young athlete. So, being able to learn the ins and outs of nutrition, strength training, running training, and just how to take care of my body as an athlete -- but then also outside of post grad and sports and just how I can live a healthier lifestyle
AF: One unique part of your story is that your former coach, Laura Rybka, also made the move to Kent. Did this influence your decision to come here at all?
GS: Yeah, it kind of just all worked out really well. I had already applied to the program before she had gotten the job here, so I was kind of already on the cusp of wanting to come to Kent for my academics. And then she happened to get the head distance coach job, and we kind of had talked, when she was my coach at Grove City, about trying to use an extraFL year of eligibility. And when it happened then that she was the coach here, it was kind of, just, everything aligned. I don't think I'd want to be underneath another coach for my last year running other than her. She knows me really well, so she knows how I train and knows what's best for me. And it was bittersweet to have her leave Grove City, so having her one last year before I am done running is just a really cool opportunity.
AF: Thank you so much, Grace, for joining us on Kent State of Mind. Good luck with your academics and track.
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