Contact:Chris Woodley
Phone: (850) 474-2428
Email: cwoodley@uwf.edu
December 1, 2005

Men's and Women's Cross Country 2005 Recaps

PENSACOLA, Fla. - It was a season of transition for the West Florida men's and women's cross country teams. For the first time in the 20-year history of West Florida cross-country, both programs were under the direction of the same head coach. Matt Dobson, who has been the men's cross-country head coach since 2000, took over the reigns of the women's program.

The men's team posted a 48-6 record, the program's 17th consecutive winning season. After a season-opening victory in the Argonaut Invitational, West Florida finished second overall, and first among Division II schools at the UAH Invitational. Two weeks later at the Blazer Invitational, Michael Padilla set an 8K-school record with a time of 24:40 to win the race and lead West Florida to a team victory. Padilla was one of seven Argonauts to earn top ten finishes. West Florida then started the month of October by placing fourth out of 14 teams at the NCAA Division II South Pre-Regional. Both Padilla and Caleb Carmichael earned top ten times.

After a dual meet victory over Spring Hill, West Florida was set for the Gulf South Conference Championships in Memphis, Tenn. While the Argonauts had two top ten finishers and a top 20 finisher, West Florida finished second to Harding for the fourth time in the last sixth years. At the regional championships, West Florida nearly sent the entire team to the NCAA National Championships. But the Argonauts finished fourth, just six points shy of qualifying for nationals. Padilla, however, qualified for nationals as an individual for the second consecutive season.

"The men had a very solid season," said head coach Matt Dobson. "We came up a little short of our goal of qualifying for nationals, but we will keep that goal for next year."

Individually, Padilla earned his third All-GSC selection, and his second straight All-GSC First Team honor. Padilla placed first in three races, and never finished higher than seventh in seven of eight races. He was the top Argonaut finisher in all seven races. Carmichael finished his West Florida career with his third All-GSC First Team honor. He was also a member of the All-GSC Second Team in 2003. Carmichael finished in the top ten in every race; including three second place overall finishes. Sam Ishee joined Carmichael as the only two Argonauts in history to earn four All-GSC selections. Ishee just missed becoming a four-time All-GSC First Team selection by finishing 11th at the GSC Championships. Ishee placed in the top ten in five races.

The women's team found themselves at or near the top of the team standings after every race. West Florida finished with a 53-13 record, their best record since 1998. West Florida also was ranked as high as 20th in the nation durin the season. The Argonauts started with a victory at the Argonaut Invitational, as six Argonauts earned top ten finishes. West Florida then finished ahead of ten Division I and II teams to place second at the UAH Invitational. West Florida claimed the Blazer Invitational title as three Argonauts, Dawn Kane, Margaret Harter, and Nicole Stanley, finished with a time of 19.37 to finish second, third, and fourth respectively.

West Florida followed by making a statement by finishing second at the NCAA Division II South Pre-Regional. The Argonauts finished first among Division II schools as three runners finished in the top 30. After a tri-meet victory at home, West Florida placed seventh at the GSC Championships. The Argonauts finished their successful season with a ninth place finish out of 20 teams at the South Regional.

"The women met, and perhaps, exceeded expectations for this season," said Dobson. "We built a foundation for future success this year. Next year we will get more exposure and more competition by running in larger races."

Kane was the top Argonaut finisher in five of the seven races. She placed in the top ten in four races, and finished 12th at the NCAA Division II South Pre-Regional. Harter and Stanley each had solid rookie campaigns. Harter had three top-ten finishes, and placed second at the Blazer Invitational. Stanley posted four top-ten finishes, including a second place finish at the Argonaut Invitational.

"It was great to see teamwork and the cheering going on between both teams," said Dobson. "Everyone encouraged one another and developed a sense of pride."