One of the best cross country and track and field runners in the state of Ohio has announced her college commitment.
Smithville senior Kaitlyn Carr has committed to NCAA Division I University of Notre Dame, where she will run track and field and cross country.
“I am thrilled to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame,” said Carr in a post on the Smithville Cross Country Facebook page. “I am looking forward to seeing what this new stage of my life will bring and would like to thank Coach Sparks and Coach Hosker for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. I am forever grateful to God for the abilities and opportunities He has given me.”
Carr is a four-time OHSAA state champion in track and field, winning two individual state titles in the 1600 meters (2024, 2025), an individual state title in the 3200 meters (2025) and she anchored Smithville’s state-winning 4×800 relay team in 2024. Carr helped the Smithville girls track team win the Division III state title in 2024. She’s also a three-time All-Ohioan in cross country, as she finished third twice in 2023 and 2024, and seventh in 2022 at the Division III OHSAA state meets.
On Sept. 27, Carr broke the Wayne County and Smithville school record with a time of 17:10.97, while coming in first at the Berlin Bear Den Dash at Olentangy Berlin High School.
She will be one of the favorites to win a state title at the Division IV cross country state meet on Nov. 1 in Columbus.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Smithville runner Kaitlyn Carr commits to the University of Notre Dame
Reporting by James Simpson II, Wooster Daily Record / The Daily Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
