Feb. 6, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Seven members of the Southeast Missouri State track and field teams will compete in the New Balance Collegiate Invitational on Friday and Saturday at the Amory Track in New York, NY.

The New Balance Collegiate Invitational is the largest indoor college track meet in the United States. More than 200 teams will be in attendance this year, including, Florida State, LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas A&M. Of those teams, several talented athletes will face off in their respective events.

The men's sprints will be loaded with NCAA finalist including Walter Dix of Florida State who was the 100-meter champion last spring and a contender for this year's U.S. Olympic team, and Rubin Williams and Evander Wells of Tennessee who hold the top two national spots in the 200 meters.

The Redhawks will be represented by their own national talent. All-American Miles Smith is currently ranked sixth in the nation in the 400-meters. He has a season best time 46.89.

John Berry will compete in the long jump. He has a best mark of 24-10.50 which is 18th best in the nation.

Brandon Colbert will be looking to join Smith and Berry on the national list. Colbert holds the OVC top spots in the shot put and weight throw. He has season bests of 59-11.75 in the weight throw and 56-06.50 in the shot put.

Junior Chris Gill (21.87) and freshman Ryan Criglar (22.33) are 1-2 in the OVC 200-meters. Gill will run the 400-meters and Criglar will run the 200-meters.

The 4x400-meter relay team of Smith, Gill, Chris Poindexter and Robert Delaria has run 3:12.83 and hopes to lower their time as they contend against the top ranked teams in the nation.

Results will be found on www.Gosoutheast.com.