April 17, 2006

MOBILE, Ala. - Lauren Brooks record-setting performance in the 1,500 meter race highlighted a series of strong showings for West Florida at the recent USA Invitational, hosted by the University of South Alabama. The event featured five schools among NCAA Division I and II and the NAIA.

Brooks broke a four-year old record with a time of 4:51.08 in the 1,500 meters. Kasey Countryman previously held the record with a time of 4:57 in 2002. Brooks was the first of six consecutive Argonauts to cross the finish line. Jen Pulmano placed third with a time of 5:03.28, while Jessica Spurgeon was right behind Pulmano in fourth place at 5:04. Nicole Stanley's time of 5:11.41 placed her fifth. Amy Lankford finished sixth with a time of 5:23.44, while Diana Sitar placed seventh with a time of 5:41.43.

Kim Gallagher posted a fourth place finish in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:22.52. Four Argonauts also participated in the 5,000 meter run. Rebecca Thielemann finished second with a time of 20:46.76. Four Argonauts followed Thielemann, beginning with Naomi Evagelista, who crossed the finish line in third place at 21:13.13. Lindsay Failing placed fourth with a time of 21:53.43, while Emily McHugh finished fifth at 23:03.67. Annemarie Stinson finished sixth with a time of 23:34.27. Terese Santana finished fourth with a time of 17:66 in the 100 meter hurdles.

The men's team also produced productive results. Brian Gowin crossed the tape first in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 15:53.68. He was followed by teammate Wayne Miller with a time of 16:03.64. Justin Dickieson placed fourth at 16:52.14, while Caleb Carmichael's time of 17:01.17 was good for fifth. Kris Head ran a 17:20.58 for seventh place, while Miles Erwin rounded out the field with an eighth place time of 17:54.26.

Three Argonauts participated in the 1,500 meter run. Justin Gates placed second with a time of 4:17.38. Craig Henry finished behind Gates in third place with a time of 4:18.46. Brandon Kelly's time of 4:47.97 was good for fourth place. Michael Padilla ran the mile run and placed third with a time of 4:20.05. Jordan Theuerkauf also ran a 10:51.29 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.

West Florida's next event will be the Vanderbilt Invitational on Sat., Apr. 22.