May 26, 2006

Knoxville, Tenn. - Southeast Missouri State University track stars Miles Smith and Alonzo Nelson both qualified for the finals in the NCAA Mideast Track & Field championships at the University of Tennessee.

Smith remained undefeated this season in the 400-meters by winning his heat in 46.67 which was the fourth fastest qualifying time. Nelson was second in his heat of the 400-meter hurdles in a time of 50.79 which put him in tomorrow's finals with a time of 50.79.

Lindsay Zeiler failed to qualify in the women's 1500-meters. She timed 4:39.43 but was just short of qualifying for the finals.

Sophomore John Berry finished 28th in the long jump with a jump of 7.14 meters.

Kevin McNab will run in the 3000-meter steeplechase final on Saturday while Bilal Hameed will compete in the finals of the triple jump. The Southeast men's 4 X 400-meter relay team of Smith, Nelson, Walter Washington and Chris Poindexter will also be in the finals.

Heather Jenkins will compete in the discus for the Southeast women's team.

The top two in each of the final events will qualify for the NCAA finals in Sacramento, Calif., June 8-10. There will also be additional at-large qualifiers based on national rankings. Smith, who is ranked fourth nationally in the 400, and Nelson, who is ranked 10th nationally in the hurdles are virtually assured a spot in the national finals.