June 9, 2006

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Junior Miles Smith of Southeast Missouri State University ran the ninth fastest time in the NCAA 400-meter semi-finals, but unfortunately only the top eight advance to Saturday's finals.

Running in the fsst heat which was won by Xavier Carter of LSU in 44.96, Smith was with the leaders coming out of the last turn, but seemed to tighten up down the stretch. He finished sixth in a time of 45.92 with Aaron Buzard of Minnesota placing fifth in 45.79 to claim the eighth and final spot in Saturday's finals.

Smith, who was fifth in last year's NCAA finals, will compete in the USA Track & Field championships in two weeks in Indianapolis. He was sixth in the USA finals last season and earned a berth of the USA team that competed in the world championships.