Nov. 17, 2006

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The United States Marine Corps slogan is: We're looking for a few good men. Marines are known as elite, highly mobile troops that are capable of fighting in any situation.

For West Florida men's cross country runner Michael Padilla, who joined the Marine Corps in August, he will be one good man representing a university.

Padilla, who attended Pensacola's Pine Forest High School, will run in the NCAA Division II National Championship race at the Escambia County Equestrian Center on Saturday. It will be Padilla's third consecutive appearance in the national championship race since beginning his Argonaut career in 2003.

"It will be exciting to run in my hometown on our home course," said Padilla. "I have been running on this course since June. It will be special to run my last race and it will mean a lot to have my family and friends not travel that far to see me run."

Padilla is one of the most decorated runners in West Florida history. He is one of only three Argonauts to earn four All-Gulf South Conference selections, including three first-team honors. He has also finished in the top 11 in four NCAA Division II South Region races, including three top 10 finishes to advance to nationals. Padilla owns the two fastest times in West Florida history in both the 8K and 10K races.

Padilla has been highly successful in the classroom as well. He was a 2005 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Male Academic All-American. Padilla was selected to the 2005 GSC All-Academic Team and was named the 2005-06 West Florida Student-Athlete of the Year.

Padilla, who has run on the Escambia County Equestrian Center course since June in practice and competitions, believes record-setting times could be accomplished on the 10K course.

"The course for tomorrow's race should be pretty fast," said Padilla. "It could produce some of the fastest times ever at nationals. The competition will be great and there should be a lot of fast times."

As Padilla prepares to run in a West Florida uniform for the last time, he does not want to get caught up in running in the national championships.

"For me, I just want to plan for tomorrow as just another race," said Padilla. "I don't want to put too much pressure on myself because if I stay calm, I should do pretty well. I want to break up the race mile-by-mile and go out and run conservatively. My main goal is to finish in the top 30 and earn All-America honors."

While Padilla will end his West Florida cross country career on Saturday, his service to his country is just beginning. After graduating from West Florida, Padilla will relocate to The Basic School in Quantico, Va. The Basic School is where all newly commissioned United States Marine Corps Officers are sent to learn the art and science of being a Marine officer. Afterwards, Padilla will return to Pensacola for naval flight training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

The men's 10K race will begin at 9 a.m. CST. The women's race will follow at 10:15 a.m. Complete results will be posted on www.goargos.com/fallfestival