March 18, 2002

AUBURN, Ala. - Chad Johnson won the 3000 meter steeplechase and several members of the Samford track and field team set personal bests as the Bulldogs competed at the Auburn Springtime Invitational on Saturday.

Johnson posted a career-best 9:35.59 in the steeplechase and also ran the 3000 meters in a personal record time of 8:48.89.

Three others ran career times in the 3000 meters, including Bryan Baddorf (8:39.56), Andrew Spear (8:42.08) and Mark Rowe (8:59.92). Baddorf's time was also the fastest 3000 meters posted by a Bulldog this season. Josh Jones also recorded a career-best of 16.13 in the 110 meter hurdles and threw the discus a season-high of 125'05.00".

Other season bests for the men's team included: Kenny Jno-Finn's 54.96 in the 400 meters, Paul von Herrmann's 1:53.09 in the 800 meters, and Paul Teinert (15.94) in the 110 meter hurdles.

For the women, LaToya Cunningham set two career bests, posting times of 56.88 in the 400 meters and 24.98 in the 200 meters.

In the 800 meters Leah Reed (2:16.71) ran her best time of the season, as did Jackie Sharpe (2:26.81). Kristin Timm also set her personal best in the race with a time of 2:29.38.

In the women's 1500 meters, Katie Flewellyn (4:44.06) posted her fastest time of the season and Alice McGough ran a career-best 4:54.72. Erin Giesa also ran her fastest time of the season (10:45.43) in the 3000 meters, and Sara Aultman jumped a career-best 17'00.00" in the long jump.

Other season bests included the women's 4x400 meter relay (3:57.47) and Angela Smith's 36'02.25" mark in the triple jump.

Next up for the Bulldogs are the Alabama Relays, hosted by The University of Alabama, March 21-24 in Tuscaloosa. Decathletes Josh Jones and Paul Teinert will compete on Mar. 21 and 22, followed by the remainder of the Bulldogs on Mar. 23 and 24. The meet will be Teinert's first decathlon.