June 13, 2008

Des Moines, Ia. - A late push put Miles Smith of Southeast Missouri State in the NCAA 400-meter finals on Saturday, 3:12 p.m., at Drake Stadium.

Smith was in the middle of the pack in the first heat of the semi-finals coming out of the last curve, but accelerated to a third place finish and a berth in the finals. Running against the top two runners in the field, Smith, who timed 46.11, finished behind Jordan Boase of Washington (45.23) and Lionel Larry of USC (45.68).

The Southeast senior, who placed fifth in the 2005 NCAA finals, has come back from a leg injury to again be on the verge of gaining All-America honors for the fifth time.

"Miles is still concerned about his leg and didn't go out as fast as he could have," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "With the injury and his lack of training time, he really had no business being here, but he is here and in the finals. That is quite a tribute to his ability and desire. If his leg holds up tomorrow, he will definitely be in the Olympic Trials field of 32 in two weeks."

Saturday's finals will be televised nationally on CBS television.