That’s gold: Heptathlete wins Student Athlete of the Year

She’s a runner, she’s a track (and field) star… and now she can say that she’s UniSport Australia’s Student Athlete of the Year.

University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ) Master of Education student Camryn-Newton Smith’s incredible year on the track and field was honoured at the 2025 UniSport Australia Awards in Adelaide last week (20 May).

In 2024, Camryn represented UniSQ at the UniSport Australia Nationals Athletics Championships and became the Australian University Nationals Champion in the Women’s Heptathlon and 100m Hurdles.

Her stellar year didn’t stop there – she also broke the Australian University Heptathlon record, became the Australian National Champion (Heptathlon) and Oceania Champion (Heptathlon), and competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

We recently spoke to Camryn about what this accolade means to her, how she balances competing and studying, and what it was like to live out her childhood dream and become an Olympian at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

How did you feel when you found out you had been named UniSport Australia’s 2025 Student Athlete of the Year?

I was so excited and honoured when I found out. I didn’t think I would be chosen so it was a very special moment. Australia is such an incredible sporting nation and there are so many other deserving athletes – so it means a lot to be recognised like this.

You had a stellar performance at the 2024 UniSport Australia Nationals Athletics Championships. Tell us about your experience and why you love being involved in these meets.

UniSport Nationals was incredible. It’s not often that in such an individualised sport I get to be part of a team. It was amazing to meet the other UniSQ athletes and watch them compete. I didn’t expect to win the Women’s 100m Hurdles that day so that was great – and also made it even more special knowing I’d won it for UniSQ too.

What was it like to become an Olympian and compete in the Heptathlon at the Paris 2024 Olympics?

It was a dream come true. I’d always wanted to be an Olympian but it just felt so far out of reach a few years ago. When I’d finally done enough to qualify and I was selected, I just cried. It was incredible to live out my childhood dream and compete against women I’d idolised for so long – especially because it’s something that I thought would never happen. Stepping on the starting line in front of the biggest crowd of my life was such an ‘I’ve made it' moment – I’d never felt as at peace or calm as I did in that first event.

You’ve had quite the year – how proud are you of what you’ve achieved on the track and in the field?

This year really showed me that I belong at these high level meets and I’m so proud of myself for everything I’ve achieved. My favourite performance – aside from becoming an Olympian – was scoring my PB of 6180 points and winning my first national championship.

Does your incredible success make all of the blood, sweat and tears worth it?

I’ve done athletics since I was five years old, it’s an incredibly big part of my life. The highs make all the injuries, bad training days, and uncertainty worth it. I love this sport so much – and when I make these teams, I feel like I’m making my younger self proud.

How do you balance studying and professional sport?

With a bit of difficulty, to be honest! Luckily, the UniSQ Elite Athlete Program makes it a little easier to be able to juggle training, studying, working, travelling, and competing. I’ve also got an amazing team of people around me that keep me on track which I’m super grateful for.

What’s next for you? Do you have any specific goals you’re working towards?

My current goal is to compete on the World Athletics Combined Events Tour. I’ve been accepted into a competition in France for early July – so hopefully I can compete well there and improve my ranking to be selected for the World Championships at the end of the year. Like the Olympics, only 24 athletes are selected in the Heptathlon. I’m currently sitting 20th, so fingers crossed!