Oklahoma State All-American and Canadian standout Ryan Smeeton, the 2019 Division 1 runner-up in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and 26th-place finisher in March at the NCAA Cross Country Championships in Stillwater, Okla., joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal to discuss competing June 9 in the steeplechase semifinals at the Division 1 Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., and his pursuit of a national title June 11 in the final. Smeeton, who competed in the Pan American Games in Peru, the University Games in Italy and the World Championships in Doha, Qatar in 2019, reflects on his return to the steeplechase this spring following a cross country season that concluded in March. He revisits earning All-America honors on the Cowboys' 10-kilometer home course and helping Oklahoma State finish third overall. Smeeton explains the benefits of racing 2019 third-place finisher Kigen Chemadi of Middle Tennessee State in April at the Joe Walker Invitational in Oxford, Miss., as well as competing against Ahmed Jaziri of Eastern Kentucky in early May at the Trials of Miles Kansas City Qualifier. He also analyzes competing against a field of professional athletes May 9 at the USATF Golden Games and Distance Open at Mt. SAC in Walnut, Calif., and how those experiences will benefit him in a championship setting in Oregon. Smeeton reminisces about the 2019 championship race under demanding weather conditions in Austin, Texas, and shares how much he learned about having the belief and conviction to execute in the final two laps. He also explains how more favorable conditions in Oregon should allow Smeeton and his fellow competitors to be more aggressive early in the race, as he looks to secure the first title for Oklahoma State in the event since Chris McCubbins in 1967. Smeeton also examines the current landscape in the Canadian men's steeplechase, and his motivation to become the first athlete this year to achieve the Olympic standard of 8:22.00 racing at Hayward Field, since it is unlikely that travel restrictions and COVID-19 protocols would allow him to participate June 25 in the steeplechase final at the Canadian Trials in Montreal.