May 25, 2006

EMPORIA, Kan. - For the second consecutive season, Michael Padilla is representing West Florida at the NCAA Division II Track and Field National Championships. On Thursday, Padilla secured a spot in Saturday's 1500 meter finals by finishing 10th overall with a time of 3:57.28. The top 12 of 16 competitors advanced to the finals.

"I am really excited, especially since I was here last year and did not qualify for the finals," said Padilla. "It turned into a tactical race with each lap getting faster, but I just wanted to make sure I qualified for the finals."

Racing under temperatures in the low 90's at Welch Stadium, Padilla was one of eight competitors in the second heat. He grabbed the lead entering the final lap, but settled for a sixth place finish, 27 hundredths of a second ahead of the seventh place finisher. Padilla's time of 3:57.28 was just over seven seconds faster than his 4:04.49 in the 1500 meters at last year's national championships. Padilla and 11 other runners will participate in the 1500 meter finals at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The top eight finishers receive All-America honors.

"My strategy in the finals is to stay close with the group," said Padilla. "Today, everyone just wanted to get into the finals. It will be a much different race on Saturday."