GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jerahmia Smith recorded the best national finish of his career Saturday afternoon, placing fifth in the men's shot put at the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center.

Representing Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Smith produced a top throw of 16.66 meters (54 feet, 8 inches) in the national final, earning NAIA All-American honors and scoring four team points for the Pomeroys.

The result marks Smith's best finish in three appearances at the NAIA national championships, which includes trips to both the 2025 NAIA Indoor Championships and 2025 NAIA Outdoor Championships.

Competing in a tightly contested championship flight, Smith finished just one centimeter shy of fourth place, highlighting how competitive the national final proved to be among the nation's top collegiate throwers.

The national title was captured by Cade VanVleet of Montana Tech, who matched the facility record with a throw of 17.73 meters (58-2).

Smith's All-American performance caps a strong indoor season in which he set the SMWC indoor school record in the shot put earlier this year and consistently ranked among the top competitors in the River States Conference.

The All-American honor adds another milestone to Smith's career and places him among the top national performers in the throwing events in SMWC program history.