Darcie Schmitz, a native of Baileyville, Kansas, competed at Cloud County from 2006-2008 and became an NJCAA All-America performer and junior college Academic All-America selection. Schmitz played volleyball and competed in long jump and triple jump for the T-Birds track and field teams, establishing school records in both the indoor and outdoor long jump. Schmitz was a four-time Region 6/Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference champion in the long jump, and was a five-time NJCAA Track and Field All-American.

In 2007, Schmitz qualified for the USA U-20 Outdoor Track and Field Championships organized by USA Track & Field, reaching the finals in long jump.

After her time at Cloud, Schmitz transferred to Fort Hays State University, becoming a seven-time All-American (four outdoor, three indoor). She was the 2010 NCAA Division II Indoor National Champion in the long jump and was national runner-up in the triple jump that same season. Schmitz still owns both the indoor and outdoor records in long jump and triple jump at Fort Hays State, and was inducted into the FHSU Tiger Sports Hall of Fame in October 2024.