Contact:Chris Woodley
Phone: (850) 474-2428
Email: cwoodley@uwf.edu
September 24, 2005

Padilla Sets School Record in Argonaut Victory

VALDOSTA, GA. – Michael Padilla broke his own record in the 8K by 12 seconds, and West Florida earned the top four finishes as the Argonauts finished first Saturday at the Blazer Classic, hosted by Valdosta State University. West Florida finished with 16 points, followed by Valdosta State with 54 and Albany State with 118.

Padilla set the 8K school record with a time of 24:40 to win the race. Padilla previously set the record with a 24.52 at the 2004 Disney World Classic. Caleb Carmichael finished second with a personal best of 25.27. Ironically, Carmichael’s previous best 8K time was a 25:33 at the 2003 Blazer Classic. Sam Ishee followed with a third place time of 25:42 while Brian Miller rounded out the Argonaut log jam at the top with a four place time of 25:57.

Three other men’s runners also earned top 10 finishes. Brian Gowin crossed the finish line in sixth place with a time of 25:59. Danny Bauer’s time of 26:37 was good for ninth while teammate Craig Henry finished right behind Bauer in tenth place with a time of 26:39.

Also finishing for West Florida was Jason Haag, 26:53 (12th), Justin Dickinson, 26:59 (13th), Jordan Theuerkauf, 27:23, (15th), Patrick McHugh, 27:59 (18th), Jeff Crane, 28:30 (20th), Justin Gates, 28:32 (21st), Miles Erwin, 29:33, (23rd) and Chris Head 29:56 (24th).

After their successful run in Valdosta, the Argonauts will prepare for the South Pre-Regional on Oct. 1 in Dade City, Fla. The NCAA Division II South Region Championships will be held on the same course on Nov. 5.