April 18, 2003

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Samford's men's track and field team claimed second place at the Atlantic Sun Track and Field Championships Friday. The women's team finished in tenth place.

The men's team scored 110.5 points in finishing second to Troy State (261 points). The women scored nine points. UCF won the women's title with 124 points.

The Bulldog men held a 14-point lead heading into Friday's action, but Troy State was able to overtake them for the title. The defending champions held their crowns in both the men's and women's competition. UCF won its fourth straight women's championship. On the men's side, Troy State won its third straight title.

Individual medallists all earn All-Conference honors and the event winners automatically qualify for slots in the NCAA Regionals. This is the first year that the NCAA format has included a regional meet and automatic qualification for conference meet event winners.

Daniel Balena (javelin), Pete Fox (hammer throw) and Josh Caldwell (discus) all qualified for the regionals, May 30-31 in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to the conference champions, Samford finished with some other solid individual performances. The women's and men's top-six finishers are listed below:

Women's Point Scorers

Michelle Brewer, fifth, 5,000 meters, 18:01.23, 2 points

April Howell, sixth, 100 meter hurdles, 14.43 seconds, 1 point

April Howell, third, triple jump, 38'06.75"*, 6 points

*school record

Men's Friday Point Scorers

Andrew Middleton, third, 5,000 meters, 15:01.72, 4 points

Bryan Baddorf, sixth, 5,000 meters, 15:17.53, 1 point

Kevin Carnall, sixth, 400 meter hurdles, 58.88 seconds, 1 point

Clay DeMore, fourth, 3,000 meter steeplechase, 9:56.97, 4 points

Jared Moore, T-sixth, high jump, 5'10", .5 points

Josh Caldwell, third, shot put, 46'08.75", 6 points

Keeton Blakeney, fifth, shot put, 41'08.75", 2 points

Derek Simmons, sixth, shot put, 41'03.75", 1 point

Josh Caldwell, first, discus, 154'04"*, 10 points

Derek Simmons, second, discus, 153'09", 8 points

Keeton Blakeney, fourth, 140'03", 4 points

Men's 4 x 100 meter relay, fourth, 44.02 seconds, 4 points

Men's 4 x 400 meter relay, fifth, 3:33.38

*school record