Nov. 2, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - After the men's and women's squads posted solid performances two weeks ago at the Gulf South Conference Tournament, West Florida will have the opportunity to bring both squads back home for nationals. West Florida's final step before nationals will be the NCAA Division II South Regional. The event will be held Saturday morning at Shelby Farms Plough Park in Memphis, Tenn.

The top two men's teams and the top three women's teams will advance to the national championships at the Escambia County Equestrian Center in Pensacola on Nov. 18. The top eight finishers, not on one of the teams advancing to nationals, will also run in Pensacola.

The West Florida men are coming off third consecutive second place finish at the GSC Championships. Senior Michael Padilla (Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS) has earned consecutive trips to the national championships, however, he has been the only Argonaut in the race. Padilla is attempting a return to nationals after earning his fourth All-GSC selection after a second place finish at the GSC Championships.

Three other Argonauts who earned All-GSC honors at the GSC Championships will also look to help lead West Florida. Sophomore Jordan Theuerkauf (Wausau, Wisc./DCE) and junior Brian Gowin (Pensacola, Fla./Pine Forest HS) each earned All-GSC First Team honors by finishing in the top 10 at the GSC Championships. Sophomore Eric Mayes (Pensacola, Fla. South Florida) earned All-GSC Second Team accolades with a 17th place finish. West Florida has never advanced to nationals as a team.

The West Florida women's third place finish two weeks ago at the GSC Championships was their best performance since a 1997 third place finish. Senior Lauren Brooks (Westlake, Ohio/Westlake HS) earned her first All-GSC honor with an 11th place finish. Fellow senior Jen Pulmano (Orange Park, Fla./Clay HS) finished 19th and sophomore Jessica Spurgeon (Fayette, Mo./Fayette HS) crossed the finish line in 20th place to also earn All-GSC honors. It was only the second time in since 1994 that the Argonauts placed three runners on the All-GSC Team. West Florida has never advanced to nationals as a team and only one runner, Tanya Simpson in 1998, has ever run in the national championships.

Full results and a recap story will be posted on www.goargos.com on Saturday.