Southeast Missouri junior Miles Smith ran the ninth fastest time in the NCAA 400-meter semi-finals, but unfortunately only the top eight advance to Saturday's finals.
Running in the first heat which was won by Xavier Carter of LSU in 44.96, Smith was with the leaders coming out of the last turn, but seemed to tighten up down the stretch. He finished sixth in a time of 45.92 with Aaron Buzard of Minnesota placing fifth in 45.79 to claim the eighth and final spot in Saturday's finals.
Alonzo Nelson timed 51.02 in the 400-meter hurdles which placed him 18th and he needed to be in the top 16 to advance to the semi-finals. The relay team was fifth in the third heat in a time of 3:07.38 and failed to qualify for the finals.