April 12, 2008

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ---- Three Bulldogs competed in the final day of the Sea Ray Relays in Knoxville, Tenn., while two Bulldogs competed in the Ole Miss Invitational Saturday. All Samford track and field athletes were successful, some setting new school and personal records while one qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Regional.

Lauren Blankenship won the women's 5000-meters by a large margin at the Sea Ray Relays Saturday. Her time of 16:40.15 qualified her to be able to compete in the NCAA Regional, May 30-31.

Also at the Sea Rays, Michael Smith took eighth in the men's 400-meter hurdles with a time of 53.39, just missing the regional qualifying mark by seven tenths of a second. Hillary Neal came in seventh in the 1500-meters. She also won her heat with a time of 4:28.87, setting a new all-time school record by three seconds and missing the regional qualifying mark by exactly one second.

At the Ole Miss Invitational, Jessica Lucas took seventh in the javelin with a throw of 115'08, setting a new personal record for herself. She also earned 14th in the hammer throw with a toss of 102'01".

Ashley Flowers also set a new personal record for herself in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.28. She also earned 10th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 56.80.

Up next for the Bulldogs will be the UGA Bulldog Unlimited, hosted by the University of Georgia.