Tomasz Smialek (2016) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Tomasz Smialek

Induction:
2016
Class:
2006

2002-06
High Jumper
Bachelor's 2006 | Master's 2010

A two-time All-American and a six-time MAC champion, Tomasz Smialek completed his collegiate career (2002-06) as one of the best high jumpers to ever compete at Akron. He is the current school record holder in both indoor and outdoor competition, clearing 7-03.25 indoors and 7-03.75 outdoors.

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As a senior, Smialek started the indoor season with a 7-1.75 jump for first place at the Akron Open. He finished 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships (7-1.43).

During the outdoor season, Smialek claimed the high jump title at the Charlotte Invitational, clearing 7-0.25. He finished sixth at the Drake Relays.

He ended his collegiate career on a high note, earning his second All-America honor at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, finishing eighth after clearing a season-best 7-02.25. His first All-American honor came at the 2005 NCAA Indoor Championships where he placed sixth with a jump of 7-02.50.

Smialek was a six-time MAC Champion in high jump, indoor in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006, and outdoor in 2003 and 2006. He also was named the team’s Indoor Most Valuable Performer in 2005.

Smialek received a bachelor’s degree in international business in 2006. He earned a master’s degree from Akron in 2010 in exercise physiology.

Smialek, who has overseen the development of six UA All-American jumpers, is the Zips’ jumps coach under 2014 Hall of Fame inductee and head coach Dennis Mitchell.

In June, Smialek was named the United State Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Great Lakes Regional Assistant Coach of the Year, a first in program history.

Smialek has led a talented group of jumpers last spring, including mentoring five Zips that earned berths into the NCAA Championships in senior Claudia Garcia Jou in the women’s high jump, senior Joe Oduho, and sophomore Terrell McClain in the men’s long jump and freshmen Curtis Richardson and Cody Stine in the men’s high jump. He also assisted in the jump events for senior decathlete Alex McCune and sophomore heptathlete Jackie Siefring.

His men’s long jump group rated third nationally in the USTFCCCA event squad rankings. The Zips’ jumpers recorded a pair of school records and posted nine, Top 5 program marks.