Hall of Fame
Hometown: Coggon, Iowa
Dana Voss Schmidt had a strong start to her track and field career at Coe. Her freshman year, she took fifth in the 100-meter hurdles at the Midwest Conference Championships and second in the javelin throw. However, asthma and knee issues made it difficult for her to continue competing in hurdles, the main event she had intended to pursue. It was time for a new plan, so Dana shifted her focus to the javelin instead. It turned out to be a winning move.
By the end of her sophomore season, Dana had proven herself a force to be reckoned with in the javelin throw. She broke the school record, and would go on to break it fifteen more times. Her record-setting throw of 130’ 7.5” earned her the Midwest Conference Champion title and made her an NCAA National Qualifier.
In Dana’s last two seasons at Coe, she became a two-time NCAA All-American with a fifth place finish as a junior and third place as a senior. She was Coe’s Outstanding Field Event Performer in both seasons and a finalist for the Barron Bremner Outstanding Athlete Award. Her school record throw of 141’ 3” has yet to be broken.
Dana earned her degree from Coe with a major in English, along with her teaching certificate.
