Smith wins heat, qualifies for NCAA 400 final

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Miles Smith appears to be in a strong position to make a run at an NCAA title.

Smith, Southeast Missouri State's senior 400-meter standout, won his heat and tied for the third-fastest time Friday during the preliminaries at the NCAA indoor track and field championships on the University of Arkansas campus.

Smith cruised to the finish line in 46.62 seconds. Florida's Calvin Smith also timed 46.62, behind Oral Roberts' Andretti Bain (46.02) and Washington's Jordan Boase (46.51).

"I felt good. It was nice and easy," said Smith, a two-time All-American who placed seventh at the 2006 NCAA indoor meet and was fifth at the 2005 NCAA outdoor. "I got off fast."

Smith already is assured of his third All-American award as the top eight finishers earn that honor.

Today's finals, set for 6:55 p.m., will feature eight runners from the original field of 16. Smith will be in the fast section of the timed finals that feature two four-person heats.

"Miles did real well. He led his heat from start to finish," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.

Haines said he is particularly impressed with the way Smith is running because he hadn't seriously trained for a month as he shut down because of some soreness in his hamstring.

A hamstring injury caused Smith to miss all of the 2007 season and redshirt.

"We haven't really trained hard for a month. It's a testament to the kind of athlete Miles is," Haines said. "Once we get back [after the indoor national meet] and start training again, he'll be really hard to beat."

Smith, who earned a gold medal at the 2005 World Championships in Finland as part of the United States 1,600-meter relay team, said his hamstring feels fine and he's ready for today.

"I'm going to have to get off fast to try and win," he said.

The finals can be seen on the Internet at www.Ladybacks.com.