Sept. 13, 2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Once again senior Michael Padilla (Pensacola, Fla. / Pine Forest HS) led the way for the men's cross country team finishing first at the Pre Conference Classic Saturday afternoon, which was hosted by Columbus State University. Padilla finished the 8k race first en route to a new course record of 25:20 out running the second place finisher, West Florida runner Jordan Theuerkauf, by 1:29. "I felt really good," said Padilla. "I gave it a good effort through out the whole race. I was looking to run low 25's, and I knew there was probably not going to be anyone there to run with me so I just want to give it a good effort from the start." Although he did break a course record, Padilla still thinks he can improve on the time especially if he had more competition to run against.

"Usually in a race where I want to run low 25's I have someone there with me," Padilla said. "They could do some of the work too, because it takes more energy to lead then to follow."

Running a pace of 5:04 per mile, Padilla may have been able break a course record at the Pre Conference Classic, but his time of 24:40 at the 2005 Blazer Classic and 24:52 at the 2004 Disney World Classic still stand as West Florida records.

"I plan on going faster then that (25:20)," Padilla said. "I am assuming that once I have some competition or someone that is faster than me, I am going to smash my school record."

Padilla, who has been to the national meet two years in a row, has never cracked the top ten. He has set his goals this season hoping for a top five finish at nationals this year.

"This is a great start to the season," Padilla said. "I am trying to work my way down every race. By the end of the semester I want to average 4:55 per mile." The Argonauts next meet takes place Sep. 23 when they travel to Hoover, Ala., to take part in the Great American Cross Country Festival. "I hope we can make it (nationals) as a team," Padilla said. "Every runner is different. I train really hard and hope the team will follow my lead. I wish I could make the guys run faster, but every runner is different."