Where Are They Now -- Margaret Smith Shimkus

"As I reflect back on my athletic experiences and read old articles, I wish I would not have been so hard on myself," said Smith. "I wish I would have enjoyed the successes then because you can't keep that level of competition up forever. All too soon we age and don't have the time to enjoy the pleasure of being with your friends.

"I came from an era where everyone believed that hard work will pay off, but I did not take the time to 'smell the roses'. My advice for young athletes is to not take any competition for granted, always work hard and give your very best effort, enjoy the records, victories and the lessons learned from the whole experience. There is always someone to come along and break the records or win a more glorious event, so just slow down to really enjoy the sports. I am so grateful to all my coaches, friends and family who supported me all through the training years. I am a huge fan of all the athletes who come behind me because I know that it is worth the journey."

Shimkus graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1980 where she competed in tennis, track and field, band, boys cross country (because the girls didn't have a team), pep club and National Honor Society. In 2009 she was inducted into the St. Anthony Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Growing up I was always active and tried to keep up with my older siblings. My dad, Roger Smith, helped coach my summer softball team and I just loved being on the same team with my sisters. We could play catch in the backyard while listening to the Cardinals' games. I often tumbled and did backflips in the yard. Early on I was involved in gymnastics, softball, tennis and track."

She set high school records in the 880 yard run, mile run and the two mile run and she was the first state champion in Effingham County for any sport. During her high school career, Shimkus was the regional champion all four years in the 880 yard run and was a state medalist. She claimed third in the 880 yard run in 1978 and was the state champion in 1979 in the 880 and placed fifth in the mile. In 1980 she was third in the 880 yard run.

"I remember counting the girls on the last turn ahead of me in the mile and I just sprinted in enough to get a medal. If only three received a medal, I probably would have gotten third. Having my family at all my races meant the world to me. Success is not success unless you have someone to share it with."

Shimkus went on to compete in cross country and track and field at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She set school records in the indoor 1,000 yard distance medley and outdoors in the 1500m and 3000m. She was a National qualifier (AIAW, before women were a part of the NCAA) in 1981 in the women's distance medley. She was injured in 1982 and had hernia surgery and red-shirted.

She then headed to Eastern Illinois University where she competed in 1982-83 in cross country and track and field. She set track and field records in indoor 800m, 880 yard, 1,000 yard and 1,000m and mile and outdoor in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m.

"My favorite memories from the college circuit is the friendships I developed," said Shimkus. "Those girls are amazing trailblazers. We competed when only men received letter jackets for varsity collegiate sports. In 2015, the University of Missouri invited the women letterwinners of all women's sports back to give us our earned letter jackets. These women are still my best friends. I stay in touch with my former teammates and even still go for a bike ride/run/walk with my very best running partners from the college days. We prayed together and stayed strong and we still do."

Shimkus earned degrees in B.Ed. in business from the University of Missouri in 1985 and MA in Practical Arts and Vocational/Technical Education in 1997.

"After college I competed for KangaROOS, who was my sponsor for equipment during the last couple of years of college. Later I was sponsored by Converse athletic shoe company until I was hit by a car during a morning training run in the fall of 1987. That accident stopped my competitive running career and crashed my dreams of making the 1988 Olympic team.

"It took six years before I could actually run what I call a real run (six mile loop). After that, every year on the anniversary of that near fatal accident, I run the miles equal to how many years it had been since the accident. I run to give God back the glory. That is the true spirit of running."

Shimkus went on to teach and coach for over 25 years. She has been at Helias Catholic High School since 2000.

"At Helias Catholic I teach business courses and computer classes," said Shimkus. "I have sponsored Future Business Leaders of America, coached track and field and tennis. Currently, I teach dual credit computer classes through LIncon University in addition to my high school business and technology courses. I am the head boys and girls tennis coach where the team has had more state quailfiers than under any other coach."

She met her husband Dan at UM track and field and they will be celebrating 35 years of marriage this summer. They have three children, all of whom competed all four years of high school and college track and field.

"Steve, Melea and Danica are all working in their prospective careers," said Shimkus. "Each year since they graduated and finished their colllege sports, we have run a road race together around Christmas time to celebrate our running family lifestyle. During this COVID time, the neighbors see us running together almost every day and yes, the oldtimer still runs! In addition to running, we enjoy going to the lake, Cardinals' games and other sporting events."

Shimkus has "always enjoyed running. It is my spiritual time, my time to just feel God's presence as though He is running with me. I love the outdoors and being with my family."