Smith ran the 8K course in 26 minutes, 29 seconds placing 23rd overall out of 248 runners.  Only two other freshmen ran faster, Notre Dame's John Malette (25:40.8) and College of the Holy Cross' Cory Loftis (26:03.8).

Junior teammates Mike McElyea (Joliet Junior College/Illiopolis, IL) and Adam Yost (Sparta H.S./Sparta, MI) battled each other for the 46th spot with McElyea nosing out Yost, 26:57.8 to 26:58.0.

Saint newcomers Phil Rizzo (Evergreen Park H.S./Evergreen Park, IL) and Ian McDowell (Lansing Community College/Lansing, MI) also fared well, finishing in the top half of the field with Rizzo placing 109th (28:15.2) and McDowell 112th (28:19.0).

Host Notre Dame captured its 20th title at the annual event by having its top five runners place among the top seven overall.  The Fighting Irish, who totaled 24 points, were followed by Xavier University (Ohio) with 199 points and Bellarmine University (Ky.), 120.

DePaul University, which finished fourth overall with 135 points, boasted the top individual performer in sophomore Matt Graham, who ran the course in 24:53.9.

USF returns to action on October 3 when it competes in the Loyola University Sean Earl Invitational on Chicago's lakefront.  The meet is scheduled for an 11 a.m. start.