Smith plans to take it easy at NCAA regional

Although he won't be in peak form, Miles Smith is ready to compete at the NCAA Mideast Regional.

So are Southeast Missouri State's six other track and field athletes who will take part in the meet today and Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

The top five finishers in each event automatically qualify for the NCAA finals, with the next seven qualifying for a possible at-large selection based on seasonal best times or distances.

"It's a very tough regional, but we're looking forward to it and we expect everybody to compete very well," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.

Smith, a four-time All-American in the 400 meters, has not run a race since he injured a hamstring May 3 during the Ohio Valley Conference meet.

Haines said Smith has gotten healthy enough to give it a go at the regional, where his preliminary race is set for 5:50 p.m. today. The finals are at 6:20 p.m. Saturday.

Smith, who earned a gold medal at the 2005 World Championships as a member of the U.S. 1,600 relay team, has a good enough time that he should be able to qualify for nationals as long as he finishes in the top 12 at the regional.

Smith's season-best time of 45.67 seconds ranks third in the region and 13th nationally.

Haines said the goal is for Smith to do just enough to make the top 12, but not push himself to the point where he risks a setback with the hamstring.

After the regional, Smith has nearly two more weeks before the national meet June 12 through 14 in Des Moines, Iowa.

"We're behind. Normally we'd be going down there [to the regional] to win. Normally, he'd be the No. 1 seed," Haines said. "We've worked really hard to get him healthy the past two weeks. Normally we'd just be in a maintenance mode right now.

"We just want Miles to be able to run. If he's healthy enough to run, he'd almost have to try to not get in the top 12."

Smith said he'll do what is necessary at the regional, then set his sights on nationals and the U.S. Olympic Trials from June 27 through July 6 in Eugene, Ore.

"I'm going to go easy this weekend and just make sure I qualify and stay healthy," Smith said. "I've been having good workouts, and if I can just qualify this weekend, I should be near peak form for the NCAA finals."

While Haines expects Smith to make the national field as long as he is in the top 12 at the regional, most of Southeast's other six regional qualifiers likely will have to finish in the top five.

But Haines said that is possible for several of them.

"I think we've got a chance to get some of them through," Haines said. "It just depends on how they perform this weekend."

Other regional competitors for Southeast's men are senior long jumper John Berry, senior javelin thrower Ben Stricklin, junior triple jumper Bilal Hameed and junior shot putter Andy Glass.

On the women's side, senior Lindsey Hearne and freshman Samantha Espiricueta will participate in the javelin.

Berry is ranked ninth in the region with a mark that could get him to nationals if he places in the top 12 but doesn't get into the top five. His event is scheduled for 5 p.m. today.

"It's a really tough regional in the long jump, and John has to be on top of his game," Haines said. "If he gets in the top 12, his mark could be good enough."

Stricklin, who is ranked 11th in the region, will compete at 2:15 p.m. today.

"He won't make it unless he gets in the top five, but he's close enough where he could get off a good throw and get in the top five," Haines said.

Hameed, ranked 14th in the region, will compete at 4 p.m. Saturday.

"He's inches away from being in the mix [for a top-five finish]," Haines said.

Glass, a Jackson High School graduate, did not meet the regional qualifying mark — he ranks 41st in the region — but qualified by winning the OVC title. His event will go off at noon today.

Haines said Southeast normally does not take OVC champions to the regional meet if they are significantly off the qualifying standard, but he believes the experience will help Glass.

Espiricueta ranks 12th in the region and Hearne is 13th, although Hearne has been battling a leg injury. They will compete at 2:45 p.m. Saturday.

"Samantha has really gotten better the last month," Haines said. "She's got a shot [at the top five], and no matter what, it's going to be great experience for her.

"Lindsey was injured the last part of the year and we've given her a lot of rest, but she could get off a really good throw and make it [into the top five].

Groves a favorite

Scott City High School graduate Loren Groves enters the Midwest Regional in Lincoln, Neb., favored to make it to nationals in both the hammer and discus.

Groves, a junior at Kansas State, is ranked first in the hammer and third in the discus. Nationally, Groves is ranked fifth in the hammer and ninth in the discus.

Both of Groves' regional events will be held today, the hammer at 1 p.m. and the discus at 5 p.m.

Groves already is a two-time indoor All-American in the weight throw, having placed sixth in the past two indoor national meets. She has not yet qualified for outdoor nationals.

Groves recently was named a first-team academic All-Big 12 Conference selection.