Argonauts Participate in Great American Cross Country Festival :: West Florida participates in one of the largest cross country events in the country.

West Florida participates in one of the largest cross country events in the country.

Sept. 24, 2006

HOOVER, Ala. - The West Florida men's and women's cross country teams participated in one of the largest cross country events in the nation on Saturday. West Florida was involved in two of the 23 races at the Great American Cross Country Festival, held just outside Birmingham, Ala. The West Florida men finished sixth overall in their 8K race, while the women finished 10th in the 5K event.

Both teams participated in the Nike Race of Champions. Of the six Division II teams in the men's 8K race, only Florida Southern finished higher than West Florida. Michael Padilla (Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS) was the top Argonaut finisher in 11th place with a time of 27:38.40. Right behind Padilla in 12th place was teammate Brian Gowin (Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS) at 27:40.10.

Craig Henry (Mary Esther, Fla./Fort Walton Beach HS) placed 41st with a time of 29:07.70. Three Argonauts occupied places 48 through 50. Justin Dickieson (Crawfordville, Fla./Godby HS) finished with a time of 29:40.50. Eric Mayes (Pensacola, Fla./Univ. of South Florida) posted a time of 29:41.70, while Jordan Theuerkauf (Wausau, Wisc./DCE) crossed the finish line at 29:45.

Eight of the 12 teams in the women's race were Division I schools. West Florida finished 10th overall, but the Argonauts were the second highest Division II school, behind Florida Southern. Lauren Brooks (Westlake, Ohio/Westlake HS) was the first Argonaut to cross the finish line in 45th place with a time of 21:09.30. Seven seconds later, Diana Sitar (Las Vegas, Nev./The Meadows School) finished in 50th place after a time of 21:16.10. Finishing right behind Sitar in 51st place was Jen Pulmano (Orange Park, Fla./Clay HS) with a time of 21:22.60. Dawn Kane (Pensacola, Fla./Pensacola HS) posted a time of 21:25.70 for 53rd place. Also running for West Florida was Amy Baird (73rd - 22:34.90), Kacey Countryman (82nd - 24:15.60) and Kim Gallagher (83rd - 24:17.50).

West Florida will host the Pre-National Cross Country Meet this Saturday at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola. The meet will begin at 8:00 a.m. CST. The course will also host the national championships on Nov. 18.