June 3, 2008

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Senior sprinter Miles Smith (St. Louis/Riverview Gardens) of Southeast Missouri State University has officially been selected as an at-large entry in the 400-meters for the NCAA Division I national championships, June 11-14 at Drake University in Des Moines, Ia.

Smith will enter the 27 man field with the 11th fastest time of 45.67. He recorded that time at the John McDonnell Invitational at the University of Arkansas on April 19. He was injured during the Ohio Valley Conference championships on May 3, but has battled back and last week finished eighth in the NCAA Mideast Regional finals after having the fastest qualifying time of 45.85. Lionel Larry of USC has the nation's fastest time this season at 44.77.

The NCAA preliminaries begin on Wednesday, June 11 at Drake Stadium. The 400-meter prelims are scheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday with the top 18 advancing to the semi-finals on Friday at 8:25 p.m. with the finals on Saturday at 3:12 p.m.

"Miles is ready to compete," said Southeast coach Joey Haines who will be coaching in his final NCAA championship after announcing his retirement earlier this year. "Miles had a good workout on Monday and we expect to have more good workouts before leaving for Des Moines next Monday. The injury has slowed his progress, but he is still one of the nations' top 400-meter runners."

Smith was fifth in the NCAA finals as a sophomore in 2005 and placed ninth as a junior in 2006 despite pulling a hamstring during the semi-finals. He missed the 2007 season with the leg injury, but returned this season. He won the 400-title at the SEmotion Relays, Sea Ray Relays and OVC championships.

Smith, a gold medalist for the United States team in the 2005 World Championships, will attempt to qualify for the USA Olympic Team during trials on June 27-July 6 in Eugene, Oregon.

Senior long jumper John Berry (St. Louis/Parkway South) was eligible to be selected for the field in the NCAA long jump finals, but has not yet been placed on the official list. There are currently 25 jumpers in the field with one more expected to be added on Thursday.

"An NCAA official told me that Berry is most probably in the meet, but they have to be sure there are no mistakes in the current field," Haines said. "Berry is working out and we plan on him competing."

The long jump begins with preliminaries on Wednesday and the finals on Thursday.