OMAHA, Neb. – It's fitting that the first flag football recruit in College of Saint Mary history is a homegrown talent.

Ayanna Smith, a senior at Lincoln Northwest High School, has signed on the dotted line, thereby beginning what CSM Coach Nancy Javaux-Major believes will be a steady flow of young women who commit to the school and agree to help its fledgling sport grow and prosper.

"I think our first signing being a young lady from Nebraska was important as we try to build momentum to grow the sport in the state,'' Javaux-Major said. "She is a motivated student accepted into the nursing program.''

Smith is the daughter of Johnny and Rhonda Smith. At Lincoln Northwest, she has also participated in cheer for two years, basketball for two years and track & field for one year.

Javaux-Major said Smith has the ability to make an impact.

"Ayanna has an elusive quickness that I am excited to use to expose other teams' defenses,'' she said. "She is a bright, young player with an exciting future that will help build a solid foundation for years to come for the program.''

Smith said she found what she was looking for in the Flames.

"CSM was my college choice because I wanted to build a new program for athletics and I wanted a smaller school environment where I can be more successful.''

College of Saint Mary's inaugural flag football season will be in the spring of 2027.