By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Andy Goldsmith knows a thing or two about making adjustments.

The Saint John's University junior grew up in Tulsa, Okla., before his family moved to La Crosse, Wis., where he attended Aquinas High School as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Then his family returned to Tulsa, where he spent his senior year at Cascia Hall High School, graduating in 2018.

"Moving around like that taught me to be flexible," said Goldsmith, the son of two teachers and a member of both the cross country and track and field teams at SJU.

"That's something that's been important, especially this season. There's been a lot of having to adjust on the fly because things can change from day-to-day."

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the outdoor track and field season for Goldsmith and his teammates last spring. Then, this summer, the MIAC announced competition in cross country and other fall sports would be postponed until next spring.

An NCAA ruling has allowed teams extended fall practice periods. But even that schedule has been impacted somewhat by the rise and fall of virus numbers on campus.

"For me, it's really been about shifting my goals," Goldsmith said. "Rather than saying the (cross country) season has been postponed and there's no way I can salvage this fall, I've tried to think about ways I could use the situation to try new things.

"I've increased the distance I've been running to see how my body would respond. And it turns out it's responded pretty well. That's been good to see."

Those extra efforts are paying big dividends. Goldsmith's team has held three intrasquad time trials so far this fall. During the most recent, a 5-kilometer race held at the Boulder Ridge Golf Club in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he was the top finisher.

"He's really a self-starter," SJU cross country coach Tim Miles '76 said of Goldsmith, who finished 35th overall at the MIAC Championships last season in 26 minutes and 32 seconds.

"His motor is going to be running no matter what the circumstances are."

That holds true in the classroom as well. The integrative science major, who hopes to one day follow in his aunt's footsteps and pursue a career in occupational therapy, earned Academic All-MIAC honors a year ago.

He also works as a nutrition intern at the refectory on campus.

"I learned a lot about balancing academics and activities in high school," said Goldsmith, whose 3.87 GPA was the highest on the cross country team last season.

"Both of the high schools I went to were academically rigorous. And there were times that I struggled with staying motivated and balancing my time properly. But going through that in high school helped prepare me for college. 

"I know sometimes there are sacrifices that have to be made. The key is making sure you keep looking toward your end goal."

One of Goldsmith's main goals is ensuring his improvement continues when he's finally able to step back on a track or cross country course next spring and beyond.

"And it's not just me either," said Goldsmith, whose father Todd played baseball at Viterbo (Wis.) University. "We have a lot of talent on this (cross country) team and we've seen vast improvement, even during this pandemic. We've been putting in the work and it's paying off.

"You're not seeing it now because we're not having meets. But you will when the time comes."