Mick Smith to lead FIU strength and conditioning program

FIU Athletic Director Pete Garcia announced on March 19 that former Orlando Magic head strength and conditioning coach Mick Smith has been hired to lead the university’s entire strength and conditioning program. Smith brings more than 25 years of strength and conditioning expertise at the high school, college, Olympic and professional levels to FIU, including 13 years as the head strength and conditioning coach of two NBA teams.

"We’re very fortunate to have someone with Coach Smith’s background, experience and expertise," Garcia said. "He’s a true pro when it comes to strength and conditioning. His diverse background in baseball, basketball, football, tennis, swimming and diving and golf will enhance and improve our performance in competition."

In addition to his experiences in the NBA, Smith was also a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Miami and at Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School.

"This is a great opportunity to come back and work hard with young student-athletes and help develop them," Smith said. "To be part of such an energetic atmosphere as college athletics – I missed that. It’s exciting to come back home where it all started. I’m excited to build something great and really see things develop here."

FIU junior named Track Athlete of the Week

Junior Jerod Wims was named the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Track Athlete of the Week on March 20. Wims won both the 100 and 200 meters in NCAA Regional qualifying times among a strong field at the 2007 Hurricane Invitational on March 17.

In the 100, Wims crossed the line in 10.34, just ahead of teammate Alonzo Phillips’ second-place time of 10.46 – also a qualifying mark. In the 200, Wims won with a time of 20.99.

Wims' two qualifying marks were among five for FIU on the day along with Phillips’ 100. In addition, senior Joeane Jadotte and junior India George each had regional qualifiers in the women’s shot put and triple jump, respectively.

Giovannoni reaches NCAA Championships

On March 11, sophomore Sara Giovannoni broke her own school record and finished 18th in the 200-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at the University of Minnesota’s University Aquatic Center. Giovannoni, who is the first swimmer in the four-year history of FIU’s swimming and diving program to reach the NCAA Championships, touched the wall in 2:14.38 to eclipse her previous school record of 2:14.81.

“Sara was phenomenal,” Head Coach Noemi Zaharia said. “She did great, but just her being at the NCAA Championships is a tremendous accomplishment as a sophomore. This is a huge stepping stone for our program.”

Giovannoni, an industrial engineering major with a 4.0 Grade Point Average, posted three second-place finishes at the Sun Belt Swimming and Diving Championships earlier this year in the 200IM, 100 and 200 breaststroke and holds school records in all three events.

Golden Panther dominates at NFL Combine

Congratulations go out to Antwan Barnes, who dominated at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on March 2. The 6’1”, 240 lbs. Golden Panther finished second among linebackers in the bench press and the 40-yard dash and was rated No. 8 out of 218 outside linebackers.

Twenty-four of the NFL’s 32 teams sent scouts to FIU Stadium to watch Barnes and seven other former Golden Panthers participate in drills similar to the league’s combine, The Miami Herald reported.

The NFL Draft will be held on April 28-29 in New York City.