Aden Smith Named Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Week

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State cross country senior Aden Smith has been named Big Ten Cross Country Athlete of the Week, as announced by the conference Wednesday. 

Smith earns his first career Athlete of the Week nod after winning the Roy Griak Invitational last Friday in Minneapolis. The Alpena, Mich. native became the first Spartan in history to win the men’s 8k individual title at the Roy Griak Invite. Smith moved up 18 spots over the final three kilometers to notch a two-second victory over second place, finishing in a personal best time of 24:13.  

Smith’s victory comes a week after finishing third at the Spartan Invitational on Sept. 16. 

Smith and Michigan State continue the season at next week’s Nuttycombe Invitational on Friday, Oct. 14.