Jan. 28, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University track and field team will open the 2005 indoor season with travel to the University of Kentucky to compete in the Rod McCravy Memorial on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Nutter Fieldhouse in Lexington, Ky. Including the Bulldogs and Kentucky, the field of competition will consists of 14 total teams. Competing teams are as follows: Kentucky, Samford, Alabama-Huntsville, Chicago State, Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee State University, Florida State, Georgia State, Grand Valley State, the Indiana Invaders, Miami-Ohio, Purdue and Tennessee-Chattanooga.

"We are very excited about the upcoming season," said ninth-year head coach Glenn McWaters. "We are blessed with some outstanding athletes and should see quite a few school records established this year."

Jennifer Craig, April Howell, Lauren Blankenship, Jessica Brewer and Brittney Mensen are the top 2004 All-OVC and OVC Individual Champions returning for the 2005 season.

The Bulldogs will look to Samford's All-time record holders Craig, Howell, Blankenship, J. Brewer, Bryan Baddorf, Pete Fox, Eddie Mason, LaToya Cunningham, Sarah Aultman, Jenny Wottle, Laura Malnati, Tiffany London, Michelle Brewer and Connie Heiskell to remain the leaders of the 2005 squad.

For the 2005 season, the Bulldogs will add many newcomers including three of the Bulldogs' 2004 football players. Freshman newcomer Britney Almaguer was named 2004 Cross Country OVC Freshman of the Year, while Drew Anderwald and Michael Hanson also competed well in cross country for the 2004 season. Along with football guard and shot putter Mason, the team will add defensive backs Cortland Finnegan, T.C. Myers and Jermaine Livingston to the 2005 squad.