Dahmar Smiles and Brittney Cloudy have a lot in common.

They each are freshmen on the Saint Louis University track and field team. Furthermore, they reside only one floor apart in Griesedieck, giving them a chance to visit each other outside of practice occasionally.

“We’re definitely not strangers,” Smiles said.

Most importantly however, Smiles and Cloudy each have earned Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors on two occasions and are consistently earning crucial points for their team.

With only one weekend of competition remaining before the A-10 Championships on Feb. 20, the indoor track and field team is depending on the performances of its two freshmen. Their emergence has certainly been a pleasant surprise.

Cloudy, a graduate of Marquette High in nearby Chesterfield, Mo., was not committed to running track until the end of last summer. She considered walking on the women’s basketball team for a while. Then she considered participating in both track and basketball. But in the end, Cloudy decided that playing two sports at the same time would be too much.

“I kind of felt like an underdog,” Cloudy said.

Her decision has paid massive dividends for the SLU indoor track team. In her first ever collegiate meet, Cloudy broke three school records. Her 18-8 1/2 mark in the long jump was followed up with a 38-10 1/2, school record effort in the triple jump. Later in the meet, she tried her luck in the 60-meter dash. The result? Another record for SLU at the time. Not bad for a walk-on.

Smiles, on the other hand, was actively recruited by Head Coach Jon Bell. The Lauren, Md. native helped his high school to three consecutive state championships. He even earned All-American status.

“I decided to come here to get the program to a higher level,” Smiles said. “I’m here to show off the program.”

With records to his name in the 4×400 relay, 200-meter and 60-meter hurdles, Smiles is holding his end of the deal in terms of improving the program.

“As far as right now goes, I’m satisfied, but I’m not going to settle with what I have accomplished. I’m looking forward to reaching a higher level,” Smiles said.

Cloudy also says she has a lot yet to accomplish.

“I’ve been consistent but I feel like I can go farther,” Cloudy said.

Other Record Breakers

Smiles and Cloudy aren’t the only athletes on the track and field team who are making their mark. Some other individual records broken this season:

Sophomore Tiffany Alexander: 60-meter dash, 60-meter hurdles, 200 meters.

Senior Anna Alexandrov: shot put and weight throw.

Senior Mary Moloney: 3,000 meters.

Freshman Katie Merritt: high jump.

Junior David Whelan: 60-meter dash.

Senior Austin Critchlow: 800 meters.

Sophomore Kyle Ross: 1,000 meters.

Senior Matt Alexander: long jump.

Sophomore Justin Kwasa: shot put and weight throw.