VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Smilla Kolbe finished out her illustrious collegiate indoor track & field career as a First Team All-American after placing fifth in the 800-meter final with a time of 2:02.44 at the at the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday.
Starting in lane one of the race, the senior fought through the pack in the final lap to burst into a top-five finish among the nation's best middle-distance runners in the 800m race. She placed over three athletes by less and a second to turn in the fifth-place finish on the podium on a national stage representing the Ospreys.
"Smilla [Kolbe] ran a great race. Big picture is that Monday, we were planning Spring Break training. Then, we got the call from the NCAA, and she immediately prepared herself to compete," said head coach Jeff Pigg. "She ran a lifetime best to make the final and finished fifth overall. She handled all of this like a champ. I'm so proud of her. It's been a great trip. Now, we both can't wait until outdoor season."
Kolbe earned her way to the program's first indoor championship appearance, along with being the first NCAA First Team All-American between both indoor and outdoor seasons. She becomes the second NCAA All-American between both indoor and outdoor since Eden Meyer was named Second Team All-American in 2017.
The Hanover, Germany, native ends her indoor career as a four-time ASUN Championship medalist, two-time ASUN Athlete of the Week, two-time ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year and NCAA First Team All-American. She also holds the top five women's 800m times in school history, three indoor program records and the Atlantic Sun Championship indoor meet record for the 800m as well.
