Jan. 29, 2005

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Samford University track and field team broke eight of Samford's all-time records at the Rod McCravy Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 29., hosted by Kentucky. Sophomore Lauren Blankenship was the top performer for the Bulldogs as she finished second overall in the 3000-meters with a time of 9:37.13, just two seconds shy of a NCAA qualifying time.

"I am very, very pleased with the performance of this team," said head coach Glenn McWaters. "This was our first indoor meet of the season and most of the team had not returned to classes until this week. We performed very well and look forward to the rest of the 2005 season."

Samford all-time record breakers on the women's side were Robyn DeBenedet, who finished sixth in the mile with a time of 5:07, Laura Malnati, who completed the high jump in fourth place with a leap of 5-06.00 and Cameron Cardwell, who finished the pole vault in tenth with a distance of 10-06.00.

Also breaking a school record in the women's distance medley, Blankenship, DeBendet, Michelle Brewer and Sarah Aultman finished the race in second overall with a time of 12.02.

On the men's side and also breaking school records, Mark Holmes finished third in the pole vault with a distance of 15-01.00, while Eddie Mason completed the shot put in eighth place with a throw of 49-01.00.

In the men's 4x400 meter relay, Michael Smith, Austin Walker, Christopher Smith and Patrick Weaver finished the race in eighth place with a Samford all-time record time of 3.26.07.

Also competing well on the men's side, Cortland Finnegan, a safety on the Samford football team, ran his first collegiate race and finished fifth overall in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.96, almost breaking a Samford school record.

The Bulldogs will head to Clemson S.C. to compete in the Clemson Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 12.