June 11, 2005

Sacramento, Calif. - Miles Smith (St. Louis, Mo./Riverview Gardens) of Southeast Missouri State University added all-America honors to his impressive resume by placing fifth in the 400-meters at the NCAA Division I finals in Sacramento, Calif. Smith's time of 45.16 is a new Southeast school record.

Olympic Gold Medalist Darold Williamson of Baylor won the 400 in a time of 44.51 with Jamal Ashley of Mississippi State second, Andrae Williams of Texas Tech third, Ricardo Chambers of Florida State fourth and Smith of Southeast Missouri fifth. Kelly Willie who won a relay team Gold Medal at the last Olympics finished sixth with Terry Gaston of Arkansas seventh and Kedar Inico of Oregon eighth.

Smith, the Ohio Valley Conference indoor and outdoor 400-meter champion, entered the finals with the seventh fastest time from the semi-finals, but ran a personal best time to move up to fifth place.

The four points scored by Smith puts Southeast in the team scoring and a probable top 40 finish in the nation. The Southeast men won the OVC outdoor championship.

Smith is the first Southeast athlete to score in the Division I finals since Terrence Branch placed fourth in the 400-meters at the 1994 championships.