Padilla Nearly Sets School Record at FSU Relays :: West Florida men's and women's runners compete in five races.

March 27, 2006

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Michael Padilla finished just two seconds off his school record time in the 5,000 meter race last week at the Florida State University Relays. West Florida competed against NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA schools.

On the third day of competition, Padilla's 5,000 meter time of 14:43 was good for third place. He was the only Division II runner to finish in the top 10. Padilla's time also provisionally qualified him for the 5,000 meters at nationals in May. Padilla set the school record in the 5,000 meters with a time of 14:41 at last year's Disney Relays. Brian Gowin crossed the finish line in 18th place with a time of 15:31. Wayne Miller finished in 26th with a time of 16:06, while Justin Dickieson rounded out the top 30 with a personal best time of 16:21. Also finishing for West Florida was Patrick McHugh, in 32nd place with a personal best time of 16:32, and Miles Erwin, in 39th place at 16:58, which was also a personal best.

Caleb Carmichael finished fourth in the 10,000 meter race with a time of 32:52. He set the school record in the 10,000 meters at 32:28 at the 2003 FSU Relays. Jordan Theuerkauf ran a 10:20 in the 3,000 meter steeplechase to finish third.

In two other men's events, Craig Henry was the only Division II finisher in the top 10 in the 1,500 meter run. Henry placed ninth with a time of 4:03. Justin Gates placed 26th with a time of 4:27, while Jamie Duffell finished at 4:50 for 27th place. West Florida's 4 x 200 meter relay team of Brandon Kelly, Justin Dickieson, Justin Gates, and Craig Henry finished seventh.

On the women's side, Jen Pulmano placed 18th in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:25. Three Argonaut runners participated in the 1,500 meter run. Jessica Spurgeon's personal best time of 5:03 was good for 20th place. Diana Sitar finished at 5:17 to place 26th, while Nicole Stanley finished 28th with a personal best time of 5:19. Lindsey Failing ran a personal best time of 19:56 in the 5,000 meter run to finish 15th.

West Florida will be back in Tallahassee for the Seminole Invitational. The one-day event will take place on Fri, Apr. 7.