Miles Smith Former Southeast Missouri State University sprinter Miles Smith leaves on Thursday for the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

Smith completed his Southeast eligibility by placing sixth in the NCAA 400-meter finals to win his fifth All-America award. The sixth place finish also bolstered Smith’s confidence for the Olympic trials.

"Miles has had two terrific workouts since we returned from the NCAA championships and he is ready and confident," said Southeast coach Joey Haines who continues to coach Smith at the Abe Stuber Track & Field Complex. "Miles has signed with an agent but has not yet signed a professional contract. He will enhance his professional career with a good showing at the trials. Miles is ready to run fast at the trials and has a legitimate chance to make the U.S. team. Our goal is to be in the top eight."

The 400-meter preliminaries begin on Sunday with the semi-finals on Monday and the finals on Thursday. NBC will have live coverage of the trials on Sunday with Monday and Thursday coverage on the USA network.

"Because of his injury in the OVC championships we really didn’t have any good workouts prior to the NCAA championships," Haines said. "Despite the lack of hard training, Miles was still able to place sixth and that has really bolstered his confidence. I know he feels he can make the U.S. team."

Regardless, his agent has him lined up for meets in Europe beginning in August.

Smith won a gold medal as a member of Team USA in 2005 at the World Championships.

Courtesy of gosoutheast.com