April 21, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ---- Junior Bulldog distance runner Lauren Blankenship set a new Samford record in the 1500-meter run Friday at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. With a time of 4:30.07, Blankenship came in third in the opening event fielding 100 female athletes. This was the first time she had run the 1500-meter race since her freshman year.

In the women's field events, Morgan Tyler placed 17th in the long jump competition with a distance of 17'5.5" while Jessica Lucas took 15th place in the javelin event with a throw of 110'10". The women are currently 11th place in the women's team ranking after the first day of competition.

On the men's side, Blaise Carie and Spencer Anderwald took 10th and 11th, respectively, in the 3000-meter steeplechase with times of 9:36.50 and 9:42.40. Drew Anderwald placed 17th in the 5000-meter race with Cameron Bean coming in close behind at 19th place.

In the men's field events, Asa Ackerson placed 22nd in the long jump with a distance of 18'11.75".

Samford will wrap up competition in the Vanderbilt Invitational Saturday with a full slate of events starting at 8:30 a.m.