April 6, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford track and field team will compete Saturday in the Second Annual Gem of the Hills Invite hosted by Jacksonville State University. This is the fourth meet for the Bulldogs in the outdoor season.

Samford had great success last Saturday in the Troy Invitational as several Bulldogs placed in the top five of their events while some records were tied and broken.

Ohio Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Week Michael Smith placed first in the 400-meter hurdles and fifth in the 110-meter hurdles. The Samford men dominated the 3000-meter run as Blaise Carie, Drew Anderwald, Michael Hanson took the top three spots in the event.

Lauren Blankenship broke the Samford record in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:52.38, placing her in the number one spot. Britney Almaguer took second place in the same event.

Morgan Tyler tied the school record in the 400-meter hurdles, running a 1:03.82 to a second place in the event.

Since its first year in 2006, the Gem of the Hills Invite has nearly doubles in size. More than 300 men and women from 15 different schools will compete in the event, making it one of the largest meets ever held on the Jacksonville State campus. Samford, along with Alabama State and host Jacksonville State are predicted to contend for the overall team championship.