St. Thomas Aquinas College athletes Dante Brown and DeAndre Smith qualified to compete in the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championships, which were scheduled to be held at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Alabama on March 13th & 14th. However, due to the on-going COVID-19 Pandemic, the championships were canceled, ending the Spartan duo's spectacular season.

Both Brown (Long Jump) and Smith (High Jump) excelled at their individual events during the 2019-2020 season. We take a look back at the indoor seasons for both athletes.

Dante Brown

Brown, the junior sprinter/jumper from Nyack, NY, was scheduled compete in the Long Jump Championship, where he finished the 2019-2020 campaign ranked 16th overall in Division II (7.39 Meters/24'3"). On the year, Dante competed in ten meets, finishing either first (5 times) or second (3 times) in the Long Jump event. In recognition of his outstanding season, Brown was selected for USTFCCCA All-East Region Honors, with ECC All-Conference accolades to be determined in the coming days.

Dante Brown's Long Jump 2019-2020 Season Performances

Dec. 7th - The College of New Jersey Winter Opener: 7.29 meters/23"11" (2nd Place)

Dec. 13th - Wagner College Shootout: 7.04 meters/23'1.25" (1st Place)

Jan. 3rd - Wagner College Invitational: 6.72 meters/22'0.75" (1st Place)

Jan. 10th - St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartan Invitational: 6.87 meters/22'6.5" (2nd Place)

Jan. 17th - Ramapo College Opener: Did Not Compete in High Jump Event

Jan. 24th & 25th - Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic: 6.99 meters/22'11.25" (8th Place)

Feb. 7th - University of Albany Winter Classic: 7.39 meters/24'3" (1st Place)

Feb. 14th - Fastrack National Invitational: 7.23 meters/23'8.75" (2nd Place)

Feb. 22nd - East Coast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships: 7.29 meters/23'11" (1st Place)

Feb. 29th - Armory Leap Year Invitational: 7.20 meters/23'0.5" (1st Place)

DeAndre Smith 

Smith, the sophomore jumper from Brentwood, NY, was scheduled compete in the High Jump Championship, where he finished the 2019-2020 season ranked 10th overall in Division II (2.11 Meters/6'11"). On the year, DeAndre competed in ten meets, finishing either first (5 times) or second (3 times) in the High Jump event. In recognition of his extraordinary campaign, Smith was selected for USTFCCCA All-East Region Honors, with ECC All-Conference accolades to be determined in the coming days.

DeAndre Smith's High Jump 2019-2020 Season Performances

Dec. 7th - The College of New Jersey Winter Opener: 1.75 meters/5'8.75" (8th Place)

Dec. 13th - Wagner College Shootout: 2.00 meters/6'6.75" (2nd Place)

Jan. 3rd - Wagner College Invitational: 1.95 meters/6'4.75" (1st Place)

Jan. 10th - St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartan Invitational: 1.93 meters/6'4" (4th Place)

Jan. 17th - Ramapo College Opener: 2.01 meters/6'7" (1st Place)

Jan. 24th & 25th - Boston University John Thomas Terrier Classic: 2.05 meters/6'8.75" (2nd Place)

Feb. 7th - University of Albany Winter Classic: 2.05 meters/6'8.75" (1st Place)

Feb. 14th - Fastrack National Invitational: 2.04 meters/6'8.25" (2nd Place)

Feb. 22nd - East Coast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships: 2.11 meters/6'11" (1st Place)

Feb. 29th - Armory Leap Year Invitational: 2.10 meters/6'10.75" (1st Place)

Both Brown and Smith will return to the St. Thomas Aquinas College Track & Field squad in 2020-2021, with a chance for a return trip to the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships. Dante will compete in his senior season, while DeAndre will take part in his junior year.