Smith ends Southeast career with All-American performance

Des Moines, Iowa -- Southeast Missouri State senior Miles Smith is looking ahead, not back.

Smith earned his fifth All-American honor in the 400-meter finals, finishing sixth at the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium. Smith, from lane 8, circled Drake University's blue oval in 45.67 seconds, which tied his season best. Oral Roberts' Andretti Bain won in 44.62.

"It was a great effort on his part and a great way to to close out his career and my coaching career," said Redhawks coach Joey Haines, who is retiring after 26 seasons at the school. "It's a testament to his heart and willpower that he was able to finish All-American."

"I gave it all I had," Smith said. "I was happy I was able to place and get out of here injury-free. I'll get better the next two weeks."

Next on the horizon for the St. Louis native is the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore., starting June 27.

Smith owned the 20th-fastest time among American men entering the NCAA meet. He was sixth at the USA Track & Field Championships in 2005.

A weak hamstring was a concern for Smith all week, but he improved his time each round of the 400. He ran 46.65 seconds in the preliminaries and 46.11 in the semifinals.

Smith injured the hamstring running the 200 meters at the Ohio Valley Conference meet May 3.

"It's unbelievable that he can compete at this level," Haines said. "We really didn't know if he could run three rounds. Now he knows he can run through it [the injury]."

Smith looked strong through 300 meters Saturday, trailing Bain and Baylor's LeJerald Betters by a few feet coming off the turn. A strong headwind the final 100 meters slowed Smith.

"He was really where he needed to be at 300 meters," Haines said. "The last 100 meters was run on guts and heart. That's the kind of athlete he is."

Haines expects he'll be able to ramp up Smith's workouts the next two weeks in preparation for the trials.

"The next two weeks are going to be crucial with my training," Smith said. "It will be a lot more focused and intense."

Smith finished his Redhawks career with three outdoor All-American honors and two at the indoor meet. His best national outdoor finish was fifth as a sophomore.

"I have no regrets about my Southeast experience," Smith said. "I didn't expect this much out of my career."

"He's been a tremendous athlete for us and a fine ambassador for the university," Haines said. "If he had stayed healthy all year, he could have won this meet."