May 25, 2006

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Four members of the Samford University track and field team head to Knoxville, Tenn., for the 2006 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships, hosted by the University of Tennessee, May 26-27.

Michael Smith, the lone sophomore of the group, will compete in the men's 400-meter hurdles. Smith first qualified for the regional meet at the Jace Lacoste Invitational, hosted by Mississippi State on April 15, where he ran a 52.01 in the event. Smith bettered his time, setting a school record in the 400-meter hurdles, when he turned in a 51.53 at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

Senior April Howell, the 2006 OVC Women's Field Athlete of the Year, will compete in two events. Howell qualified on time for the women's 100-meter hurdles when she ran a Samford-record 13.81. Howell will also compete in the women's triple jump after winning the event at the OVC Championships. Howell's best jump of the season came at the Jace Lacoste Invitational, where she reached 40'01.25''.

Senior Michelle Brewer will compete in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase. Brewer originally qualified when she won the event at the OVC Championships, but additionally qualified on time with a school-record 10:47.61 at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

Trent Schmidt, another senior, heads to Knoxville for the men's pole vault. Schmidt was a conference champion in the event at the outdoor championships, with a leap of 16'00.75''.

Competition begins Friday, with the men's pole vault at 3 p.m. The preliminaries for women's 100-meter hurdles are set for 5:45, while the men's 400-meter hurdles preliminaries will run at 7:45. The triple jump is set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, and the steeplechase will run at 7:45 on Saturday. Results will be posted at www.ncaasports.com following the conclusion of the meet.