Southeast Missouri State University
NCAA West Regional
Smith Qualifies for Nationals; Breaks 100m Dash Record
5/28/2015 9:37:00 PM | Track and Field
NCAA West Region Prelims Day One Results
AUSTIN, Texas – Southeast Missouri's Blake Smith qualified for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships during the opening day of the NCAA West Region prelims Thursday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
A native of nearby Jackson, Smith had a big day for Southeast, competing in both the long jump and 100-meter dash.
He placed eighth in the long jump with 7.81m (25-7 ½) to punch his ticket to this year's national meet scheduled for June 10-13 in Eugene, Oregon. Smith established the qualifying mark on his first attempt and advances to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time in his career.
Smith later secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 100-meter dash. He finished fourth in his heat and ninth overall with a personal best time of 10.11. Smith also shattered Southeast's record in the 100m, besting Dana Gardner's time of 10.24 which stood since 1986. The top three from each heat plus the next six times advance to Friday's quarterfinal run.
Four other Redhawks also competed, including Shon Kyle, Blake Carter, Sarah Hall and Jessica Brown.
Kyle took 16th in the discus (54.59m, 178-9), Carter placed 27th in the long jump (7.22m, 23-8 ¼), Hall finished 26th in the hammer throw (57.76m, 189-6) and Brown came in at 47th in the long jump (5.38m, 17-8).
Smith will run in the quarterfinals of the 100-meter dash at 6:45 p.m., CT, Friday. Kyle is also scheduled to compete in the shot put prior to that at 6 p.m.
