Feb. 7, 2006

Cape Girardeau, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University junior Miles Smith, a gold medallist at the World Track & Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland this summer, will be honored with a 2005 Missouri Sports Achievement Award from the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.

Smith will be introduced at the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m., at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield. He will also be on hand for a reception at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon.

Smith will attend the festivities along with head track coach Joey Haines. "It is certainly an honor that was well earned," said Haines. "Miles represented Southeast Missouri State, his hometown of St. Louis, the state of Missouri and the USA when he competed on the world stage in Helsinki. Winning a gold medal at a World Championship is quite an achievement."

Smith was a member of the United State 4 X 400-meter relay team that claimed the gold medal in Helsinki.

A graduate of Riverview Gardens High School in St. Louis, Smith will compete along with the other members of the Southeast men's and women's teams at the Iowa State Invitational in Ames, Iowa on Friday and Saturday before attending the Hall of Fame ceremonies in Springfield on Sunday. He is currently ranked ninth nationally in the indoor 400-meter dash.