Redhawks have three top finishers at Ole Miss

~ Smith won the 400 dash, Nelson was first in the 400 hurdles, and McNab captured the 3,000 steeplechase.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The weather wasn't conducive to impressive performances, but the Southeast Missouri State track program still had its share during Saturday's University of Mississippi Invitational.

Southeast turned in three first-place finishes during the unscored meet that featured several Southeastern Conference schools.

"The weather was terrible, so the times and distances weren't that impressive. It was really cold and windy," Southeast coach Joey Haines said. "But we had people really compete well."

Miles Smith easily won the 400-meter dash with a time of 46.98 seconds. Nobody else in the field broke 48 seconds.

Alonzo Nelson cruised to victory in the 400 hurdles in 52 seconds. He and Smith both finished first in their specialties at last weekend's Gatorade Classic in Cape Girardeau as well.

Southeast's other winner Saturday was Kevin McNab, who prevailed by 30 seconds in the 3,000 steeplechase, clocking 9:10.52.

"The guys that won, those were great performances in the weather. And they won real easily," Haines said. "We were real excited about Kevin McNab. That's a major PR for him. That's a big breakthrough."

Chris Herren was second in the 3,000 steeplechase (9:40.51), while Central High School graduate Lainie Bohnsack tied for the top height in the high jump (5-5) and placed third. John Berry was third in the long jump (23-6 3/4).

"Lainie had a really good jump in those conditions, and so did John," Haines said.

Southeast results

Men

400 -- 1. Miles Smith, 46.98

800 -- 8. Mark McNamara, 1:57.91

1,500 -- 6. Danny Stults, 4:03.80

5,000 -- 6. Kirk Nesbit, 15:28.81; 7. Gabe Lutes, 15:36.44

400 hurdles -- 1. Alonzo Nelson, 52.00

3,000 steeplechase -- 1. Kevin McNab, 9:10.52; 2. Chris Herren, 9:40.51

High jump -- 4. Andrew Lambert, 6-2 3/4

Long jump -- 3. John Berry, 23-6 3/4; 6. Lambert, 22-7 3/4

Women

5,000 -- 4. Jen Caywood, 18:01.88; 5. Kris Woolf, 18:02.07; 8. Brittni Peck, 18:19.66

100 hurdles -- 6. Whitney Thomas, 14.65

3,000 steeplechase -- 7. Sarah Verelst, 12:26.98

High jump -- 3. Lainie Bohnsack, 5-5

Pole vault -- 4. Megan Rosenkoetter, 10-0; 7. Michele Jett, 10-0

Discus -- 6. Heather Jenkins, 140-0

Javelin -- 7. Rebecca Martin, 118-0