University of Illinois Athletics

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD • 2000-02

Gia Lewis-Smallwood is the most accomplished field event athlete in Fighting Illini women’s track and field history. Lewis-Smallwood competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the discus and formerly held the American record in that event with a toss of 226-feet, 11-inches in 2014. She won a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American games and finished fifth at the 2013 World Championships. Lewis-Smallwood is a four-time U.S. discus champion, while finishing second in 2010 and third in 2011, and has competed in a total of four World Championship meets. She holds Illinois records for the 20-pound weight throw and discus and was the Big Ten discus champion in 2001. Lewis-Smallwood finished fifth in the discus at the 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships to earn All-America status. She currently resides in Alexis, Illinois.