Calvin vaulter focuses on architect career

[rainbowgirl28]

http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/ind ... xml&coll=6

Calvin vaulter focuses on architect career
Thursday, June 29, 2006
By Howie Beardsley
The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS -- During her pole vaulting career at Calvin College, Missy Smith's goal was to raise the bar as high as possible.

Now, the three-time All-American hopes to elevate the quality of living in developing countries.

Smith was honored Wednesday by the NCAA with a $7,500 post-graduate scholarship that will help the former Grand Rapids Christian star continue her college studies this fall at the University of California-Berkeley's graduate school of architecture.

"I have actually been interested in architecture since I was a child," Smith said. "When I was 11, on one of those 'what do you want to be' sheets, I wrote down I wanted to be an architect. I like math and science and thought it would be a good combination."

It proved to be even more of a personal interest when Smith spent the fall semester in 2004 studying overseas, where she took part in designing an orphanage in India.

"That trip showed me why I wanted be an architect and how it can involve social change," said Smith, who also spent a month in India.

Smith graduated from Calvin with a double major in German and Asian studies, and a minor in art history. She compiled a 3.93 grade-point average and was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American.

In the pole vault, Smith placed third as a senior at the NCAA Division III championship meet with a leap of 12 feet, 2 1/2 inches.

She was fifth nationally as a junior and fourth during her sophomore season.

Smith's top vault was 12-7.

Her only regret while awaiting her graduate studies at Cal-Berkeley is she no longer will compete as a pole vaulter.

"Pole vaulting was a great outlet for me regarding my college studies at Calvin, and it was something I had to do now, because I knew I couldn't do it in the future," Smith said.

"You always say you could have gone higher, but I'm really happy with my college career. I'm just sad it's over," Smith said.