This week's "Pios of the Week" for the week ending 3/8 are Senior
Natalie Gricius of Women's Basketball, and Freshman Brian Smith of Men's Track and Field for their performances over the past week at their respective games and meets.
Senior Natalie Gricius capped one of the greatest seasons in Carroll women's basketball history by etching her name permanently into the program's record book.
Gricius finished the season with 639 points, setting a new Carroll single-season scoring record during the Pioneers' NCAA Tournament run. The milestone came as Carroll advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, marking another postseason achievement for a program that enjoyed a record-breaking year.
Gricius tied a career high with 39 in the first round game against DePauw which helped the Pioneers erase a 14-point deficit and followed that up with a 24 point and 8 rebound performance against UW-La Crosse which was the game that saw her break the record.
Gricius' record-setting campaign leaves a lasting legacy within the program and stands as one of the most accomplished individual seasons in Carroll women's basketball history.
Brian Smith – Men's Track & Field
Freshman Brian Smith continues to make a national impact in his first collegiate season, earning Pioneer of the Week honors following a record-breaking performance that secured his place on the NCAA stage.
Smith shattered a 14-year-old Carroll record in the 400 meters, a mark that now places him tied for 10th nationally in NCAA Division III. The performance capped a standout weekend and further established Smith as one of the top first-year sprinters in the country. In addition to his record run, Smith also competed in the 200-meter dash, finishing fifth with a new personal best of 22.09 seconds. That time officially closes the season with Smith standing as the fastest freshman in program history in the event.
Smith's consistency throughout the indoor season earned him selection to the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships, where he will represent Carroll in the 400 meters. As a freshman competing at the national level, Smith's rapid rise has been a key storyline for the Pioneers this winter.
