Smith will run in California to prepare for world event

The Southeast Missouri State junior-to-be will be in the field at the USATF Mid-Summer Classic.

Southeast Missouri State's Miles Smith, a member of the USA track and field team that will compete in the World Championships Aug. 6 through 14 in Helsinki, Finland, will run in the 400 meters Sunday at the USATF Mid-Summer Classic in Azusa, Calif.

The event at Azusa Pacific University will be a tuneup for the USA men's and women's World Championship team members who aren't currently competing in Europe.

"I just want to go out there and run fast with a time in the 44s or low 45s," Smith said. "My workouts at Southeast have been going great, but it will be good to be back in competition. I just want to stay sharp for the World Championships."

Smith, a member of the United States' 1,600-meter relay team at the World Championships, has a personal best time of 45.16 seconds that is the fastest of the invitational entries for the Mid-Summer Classic.