Smith sprints to 400 win

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Sea Ray Relays that the University of Tennessee hosted Friday and Saturday is regarded as one of the nation's premier track meets.

That failed to deter Southeast Missouri State 400-meter star Miles Smith, who blazed to victory in the 40th annual event, which featured more than 2,000 athletes from 84 collegiate and 33 professional teams.

"This is one of the best meets in the country every year," Southeast coach Joey Haines said. "There was some unbelievable competition here, and we did a lot of good things."

Particularly Smith, a junior who won the 400 in 45.74 seconds, which topped his previous season-best time of 45.98 seconds.

Smith's 45.74 is faster than the top outdoor time in the nation among NCAA runners entering the weekend.

Smith edged out Indiana's David Neville, who finished in 45.75 seconds. Neville was second at the NCAA indoor national meet, while Smith placed seventh.

"It was a great win for Miles against a really good field," Haines said. "He came from behind to win."

Southeast had several other top-10 finishes, including Alonzo Nelson in the 400 hurdles. He placed fifth in 52.01 seconds, although he was the top collegiate finisher.

Fifth on the women's side were Heather Jenkins in the discus (166 feet), Jen Caywood in the 5,000 (18:39.41) and Kris Woolf in the 10,000 (37:50.03).

Also for Southeast's men, Andrew Lambert was eighth in the high jump (6-6 3/4), Gabe Lutes was ninth in the 10,000 (32:06.67) and Chris Herron placed 10th in the 3,000 steeplechase (9:53.87).

In relay events, Southeast's men were eighth in the 1,600 (3:11.52) and ninth in the distance medley (10:12.76).

The 1,600 group consisted of Walter Washington, Chris Williams, Nelson and Chris Poindexter, while the medley featured Danny Stults, Chaz Brown, Mark McNamara and Kirk Nesbit.