Padilla Earns Provisional Qualifying Time in 1,500 Meters :: West Florida men's and women's track teams participates in nine events

April 10, 2006

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Michael Padilla posted a provisional qualifying time for nationals in the 1,500 meters to highlight West Florida's performance Friday at the Seminole Invitational on the campus of Florida State University. It was the second time in less than a month that West Florida had raced in Tallahassee. The Argonauts participated in the Florida State Relays in late March.

Racing among NCAA Division I, II, and NAIA schools, Padilla qualified for nationals with a time of 3:52.37 in the 1,500 meters. He placed fifth among 25 participants. He also placed in the top five with a third place finish in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 8:47.08. Padilla was the highest finishing runner in both races among Division II and NAIA participants.

Brian Gowin placed eighth in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 9:02.11. Wayne Miller finished 15th with a time of 9:27.17, while Miles Erwin crossed the finish with a time of 9:48.66 in 16th place.

In the 1,500 meter run, Justin Gates placed 17th with a time of 4:13.95. Finishing right behind Gates in 18th place was Craig Henry, with a time of 4:15.24. Brandon Kelly placed 25th with a time of 4:45.86.

Three Argonauts participated in the 5,000 meter run. Tallahassee native Caleb Carmichael placed eighth with a time of 15:52.98. Kris Head finished 12th with a time of 17:21.64, while Patrick McHugh finished close behind Head in 13th place with a time of 17:30.61. Jordan Theuerkauf earned a 12th place finish with a time of 10:14.83 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

Thirteen Argonaut women also participated at the Seminole Invitational. Kim Gallagher earned a 15th place finish in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:21.92. Jen Pulmano also ran and finished 25th with a time of 2:24.34.

Six Argonaut runners were involved in the 1,500 meter run. Lauren Brooks was the top West Florida finisher with a time of 4:51.08 in 11th place. Jessica Spurgeon checked in at 5:03.51 in 20th place. Amy Lankford's time of 5:10.75 was good for 25th place, while Nicole Stanley finished right behind Lankford in 26th place with a time of 5:11.62. Naomi Evangelista finished 33rd with a time of 5:23.47, while Diana Sitar placed 35th at 5:46.58.

Four Argonauts ran in two of the long distance races. Lindsey Failing placed 18th in the 3,000 meter run with a time of 11:58.45. Emily McHugh crossed the finish line at 13:12.14 to place 19th. Rebecca Thielemann earned a top 10 finish in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 20:15.65. Ann Marie Stinson also ran the 5,000 meter run and finished 15th with a time of 21:39.75. Terese Santana placed 14th in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 17.93.

West Florida will be back in action this Saturday, Apr. 15, at the University of South Alabama Invitational in Mobile, Ala.