Tara Smurla

Tara Smurla
Tara Smurla
  • Height:
    5-7
  • Hometown:
    Cedar Grove, N.J.
  • Year:
    Jr.
  • High School:
    Cedar Grove
Bio

2024: Smurla competed in 5k and the 6k for the Hounds. Smurla competed in the 2024 NCAA DIII Cross Country championships, she finished 29th of 290 runners with a time of 21:37.6 on the 6,000-meter course.

2023: Smurla competed in the 6k for the Hounds. Smurla competed in the 2023 NCAA DIII Cross Country championships, she finished 271st of 292 runners with a time of 23:56.8 on the 6,000-meter course.

2022: Smurla competed in both the cross country and track and field seasons for the Hounds. Smurla competed in the 6k for cross country and participated in the 4x400 Relay, 5000m, 3000m, Mile, 4x800 Relay, 10k, 1500m, and 800m events during the track and field seasons.

Personal: Daughter of Annmarie and Michael Smurla...Majoring in Elementary Education and Special Education

Academic: Dean's List

Accolades: 2024 NCAA DIII All-American, 2024 USTFCCCA Metro Regional Women's Athlete of the Year, 4x 2024 Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week

 

 

 

News mentions
Junior Tara Smurla runs towards the finish line to earn All-America honors with a 29th place finish at the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships in Terre Haute, Indiana. Photo by Brandon Tomory, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Smurla Earns All-America Honors at 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country team had junior Tara Smurla earn All-America honors at the 2024 NCAA Division III National Championships hosted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course at the Wabash Valley Family Sports Center Saturday morning.

Tara Smurla for HoneyStinger graphic
Smurla Named Moravian Student-Athlete of the Week Fueled by Honey Stinger

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Junior Tara Smurla of Moravian University’s women’s cross country team has been named the Moravian Student-Athlete of the Week Fueled by Honey Stinger for her performance last week.

Junior Tara Smurla races to the finish line as the individual champion at the 2024 NCAA Division III Metro Region Championships hosted by Stockton (N.J.) University. Photo by Christine Fox
Smurla Wins NCAA Metro Regional; Greyhounds Finish Fifth in Team Standings

GALLOWAY, N.J. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country squad finished fifth of 25 teams in the 2024 NCAA Division III Metro Regional Championship hosted by Stockton (N.J.) University Saturday morning.

Junior Tara Smurla comes towards the finish line in the 2024 Paul Short Run at Lehigh University. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media / Matthew Levine '11
Hounds Finish as Runner-Up by One Point at 2024 Landmark Conference Championships

LEBANON, Pa. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country team finished as the runner-up by one point at the 2024 Landmark Conference Championships hosted by Elizabethtown College Saturday at Union Canal Tunnel Park. 

Junior Tori Champagne heads towards the finish line during the Paul Short Run hosted by Lehigh University this season. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media / Matthew Levine '11
Greyhounds Finish 12th at Mike Woods Invitational

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country squad finished 12th of 29 teams in the 43rd Annual Mike Woods Invitational hosted by SUNY Geneseo at the National Warplane Museum Saturday morning. 

Tara Smurla for Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week graphic
Smurla Garners Fourth Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week Honor of 2024

TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University junior Tara Smurla has garnered her fourth Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor of the 2024 season for her performance last week.

Amber Poniktera runs in the Paul Short White Race. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media
Smurla Runs a PR to Lead Moravian in Paul Short Run White Race

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University women's cross country squad finished 32nd of 46 in the Paul Short Run White race.

Tara Smurla for Landmark Athlete of the Week graphic
Smurla Earns Third Straight Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week Honor

TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University junior Tara Smurla has earned the Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honor for the third straight week for her performance last week.

Senior Amber Poniktera races during the Lebanon Valley College Invitational earlier this season. Photo courtesy of Lebanon Valley College Athletic Communications
Hounds Place Fourth at Stockton Osprey Open

GALLOWAY, N.J. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country team placed fourth of 20 teams at the Stockton University Osprey Open Saturday on the course that will be used for the NCAA Division III Metro Regional later this season. 

Tara Smurla for landmark awards graphic
Smurla Repeats as Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week

TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University junior Tara Smurla has been repeated as the Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for the second consecutive week for her performance last week.

Tara Smurla for honey stinger graphic. Action photo courtesy of Lebanon Valley College Athletic Communications.
Smurla Honored as Moravian Student-Athlete of the Week Fueled by Honey Stinger

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Junior Tara Smurla from Moravian University’s women’s cross country squad has been honored the Moravian Student-Athlete of the Week Fueled by Honey Stinger for her performance last week.

Junior Elena Bocchetti and senior Rachael Goodman compete in the Lebanon Valley Invitational at Union Canal Tunnel Park. Photo courtesy of Lebanon Valley College Athletic Communications
Moravian Women Take Second in Lebanon Valley Invitational

LEBANON, Pa. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country squad finished as the runner-up in the Lebanon Valley College Invitational Saturday at Union Canal Tunnel Park, the site of the 2024 Landmark Conference Championships in November.

Tara Smurla running for Landmark Conference Athlete of the Week graphic
Smurla Honored as Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week

TOWSON, Md. --- Moravian University junior Tara Smurla has been honored as the Landmark Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week for her performance last week.

Senior Rachael Goodman races during the 2023 Lehigh University Invitational. Photo by Cosmic Fox Media / Matthew Levine '11
Greyhounds Finish Fourth in Lehigh Invitational to Begin the 2024 Season

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian University women’s cross country team opened the 2024 season with a fourth place finish at the Lehigh University Invitational run Friday evening at the Goodman Campus.

Photos