Feb. 20, 2007

PENSACOLA, Fla. - It has been a very successful year not only for the West Florida cross country and track teams, but for head coach Matt Dobson as well. On Sunday, Dobson was the overall winner in the third annual Pensacola Marathon.

Dobson, who earned his fifth marathon victory, crossed the finish line of the 26.2 mile course in a time of 2:33.03. The time set a new course record as Dobson ran in temperatures in the low 30's with wind chills in the low 20's. Dobson's time was 12 seconds faster than the second place finisher and five seconds faster than last year's winner.

Among Dobson's other marathon victories have been the Walt Disney World, Jacksonville and Blue Angel Marathons. He has also raced in the Boston and Buffalo Marathons.

In the Pensacola Half Maraton, junior Jordan Theuerkauf (Wausau, Wisc./Hawaii-Hilo) finished second with a time of 1:16.01. However, the winner of the half marathon also had a West Florida connection. Michael Padilla, who earned NCAA Division II All-American honors in November, won the race with a time of 1:11.47. Padilla is currently in Marine Corps basic training in Quantico, Va.