April 15, 2006

STARKVILLE, Miss. ---- Samford University hurdler Michael Smith became the Bulldogs' first NCAA Regional Qualifier on Saturday at the Jace Lacoste Invitational at the W.O. Spencer Stadium/Carl Maddox Track on the Mississippi State University campus.

Smith finished second overall and first among collegiate athletes in the men's 400-meter hurdles. Smith qualified for the 2006 NCAA Regional Championships with a time of 52.01 seconds in the event.

Kady Decker finished second overall in the women's 400-meter hurdles. Decker set a school record in the event, turning in a time of 1:03.82.

The Samford men turned in the top-three finishes in the 5000-meter run. Bo Brawner won the event, with a time of 15:31.70. Cameron Bean finished second, running a 15:34.69, and Drew Anderwald finished third, with a time of 15:38.14.

In the men's pole vault, Trent Schmidt and Mark Holmes finished first and second respectively. Schmidt won the event with a height of 15'07.00'' and Holmes finished second, with a mark of 15'00.00''. Cameron Cardwell won the women's pole vault, with a mark of 10'11.75''.

Michelle Brewer won the women's 5000-meter run with a time of 18:10.88. Connie Heiskell finished third in the event, with a time of 18:54.54.

Daphne Anderson finished second in the women's 100-meter hurdles, with a time of 14.49. Additionally, the Bulldog foursome of Anderson, Ciara Floyd, Tiffany King and Lakeita Rox finished fourth in the 4x100-meter relay, with a time of 49.57.

Pete Fox finished second overall in the men's hammer throw, with a mark of 141'00.00''. The men's 4x100-meter relay team of Asa Ackerson, William Atwell, Justin Goetze and Smith finished second in the 43.27.

April Howell finished third overall in the women's triple jump, with a leap of 40'01.50''. Addionally, Laura Malnati finished third in the women's high jump with a mark of 5'05.00''.

"We had a pretty good day today," said Samford head coach Glenn McWaters. "A lot of the kids are developing really well, and I like the way we're progressing as we get closer to the conference championship. I think we've got a chance to be a contender at conference, we're really coming along well."

The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, April 22, when they head to Auburn, Ala., for the Auburn Invitational.