Despite hamstring, Smith had amazing career

After Southeast Missouri State's Miles Smith finished fifth in the NCAA outdoor 400 meters as a sophomore in 2005, he had every right to believe his goal of a national title was well within reach.

A lingering hamstring injury that has bothered Smith for much of the past few years prevented him from attaining his goal.

But it's a testament to just the type of athlete and competitor Smith is that he wound up his brilliant collegiate career with another All-American performance.

Despite hardly training for the last couple of months due to his latest hamstring problem, Smith placed sixth at Saturday's NCAA outdoor championships in Des Moines, Iowa.

It was the fifth All-American honor during Smith's Southeast career. That is an amazing accomplishment.

But you've got to feel bad for Smith that his tender hamstring kept him from perhaps achieving more.

When Smith was healthy in 2005, he ran the 400 meters in a career-best 45.16 seconds. The year saw him earn a gold medal as a member of the U.S. 1,600 relay team at the World Championships.

The winning time in Saturday's NCAA finals was 44.62 seconds. Smith ran 45.67, which matched his season best.

Three years ago, Smith was only about a half-second off of what won Saturday's race. You've got to think that, with normal improvement and maturity, Smith would have been right in the hunt for a national crown.

Smith's balky hamstring has been a road block, and it likely will continue to be a road block when he shoots for a berth in the Summer Olympics during the U.S. Olympic Trials June 27 through July 6 in Eugene, Ore.

It's going to be difficult for Smith to finish among the elite in Oregon, having done so little training in recent weeks.

Smith is the type of competitor I wouldn't rule out, although he'll be a decided underdog.

Regardless of what happens at the Olympic Trials, this area has been blessed to have had Smith — who is as good a person as he is an athlete — to call their own over the past several years.

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While Smith deserves tons of praise and congratulations, Scott City's Loren Groves also deserves kudos for her performance at the NCAA outdoor track and field championships.

Groves, a junior at Kansas State, earned her third All-American award by placing fifth in the hammer throw. Her two previous All-American honors came in the indoor weight throw.

Like Smith, Groves now will get ready for the Olympic Trials.

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For those of you who didn't read it on my blog, I asked Southeast men's basketball coach Scott Edgar about the for-sale sign he has on his house.

Edgar said he's not leaving the Redhawks. I wouldn't think so, not with three years left on a five-year contract. He tells me every time I talk to him that he's excited about the upcoming season.

Asked why the for-sale sign, Edgar told me the following:

"My wife has a God-given, unique talent for interior decorating. She's enjoyed fixing up this house. We could quite possibly sell it and relocate in the community."

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One more Southeast men's basketball note:

Athletic director Don Kaverman told me last week that Johnny Hill technically is still a part of the program as the NCAA continues to evaluate his eligibility status. Kaverman said the university hopes to receive a final decision on Hill's eligibility status by the end of the summer.

Hill was part of Vashon High School's state title teams in 2004 and 2006. He also was at the center of several of Vashon's recruiting violations that were part of the reason the Missouri State High School Activities Association last week stripped the Wolverines of three state championships.

Former Vashon coach Floyd Irons admitted spending more than $25,000 to rent an apartment for Hill and his brother Bobby, who were from Illinois.

After the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote a story about the Vashon situation in its Feb. 17 edition, Kaverman announced two days later that Johnny Hill was declared ineligible until the situation had been reviewed by the NCAA. At the time, Southeast had three games remaining in its season.

Hill, a 6-foot-4 guard/forward, has seen limited action during his first two seasons at Southeast, averaging 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds in a reserve role. In 24 games this past season, Hill averaged 1.7 points and 2.1 rebounds.

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I had a blast Saturday night at the Plaza Tire Capahas old-timers game.

It was neat talking to many of the players I covered in the past who I haven't seen much over the years.

As for the current Capahas, the highlight of their regular season probably will take place this weekend when the Crestwood (Ill.) Panthers come to town.

The Panthers are one of the top amateur baseball programs to ever play the Capahas in Cape Girardeau, having finished third in the past two National Baseball Congress World Series.

Crestwood and Plaza Tire will square off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and then have a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday's action at Capaha Field also will feature Crestwood playing the St. Louis Printers at 1 p.m. and the Capahas taking on the Printers at 4 p.m.

It should be a great weekend of top-flight amateur baseball.

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Dustin Renfrow, who pitched the past two seasons for the Southeast baseball team, signed a professional contract last week with the Evansville (Ind.) Otters of the independent Frontier League.

Renfrow has appeared in one game so far, working two scoreless innings. He struck out three and allowed one hit.

Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian.