Feb. 11, 2012

Complete Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Samford track wrapped up the second and final day of the Vulcan Invitational on Saturday. The day's action was highlighted by new school records, set by Emily Allen in the women's weight throw and Marie Demedicis in the women's 400-meter dash.

Allen, who already held the school record, improved the mark Saturday finishing 11th with a best toss of 51-11 (15.82m) coming in her third and final attempt. This beats her previous record of 51-3 (15.62m), set at this season's Auburn Invitational. Her counterpart in the men's competition, Kyle Kirby, won with a best toss of 64-1.75 (19.55m).

Demedicis, a Birmingham native, has had a stellar start to her freshman campaign at Samford, and Saturday's school record is the latest achievement. She finished seventh in Saturday's competition, crossing the line in 56.91. This is the first time under 57 seconds in Samford history and puts her ahead of the previous record of 57.13, set in 2008 by Ashley Flowers. Jessica Watson (59.00) and Madeline Cross (1:00.14) also earned new PRs in the event, and they now sit in seventh and ninth all-time at Samford, respectively.

Another newcomer on Samford's middle distance squad, Anna Laura Irvine, put together a solid race in the 800 meters. She placed second in 2:13.70, which is a new PR and propels her to third all-time at Samford. Teammate Chelsea Treadway also earned a new PR in the event, placing 11th in 2:16.87 which places her in tenth all-time on the Samford performance list.

In the men's races, Alex Richter was the highest-placing Bulldog in the men's 200-meter dash. He cruised to a 16th-place finish in 22.15, a new PR that moves him to second in the Samford record books. Two Bulldogs in the 3,000 meters set new personal bests, led by Layton Dorsett in 21st (8:44.55) with James Graham hot on his heels in 22nd (8:47.12). The two times rank fourth and fifth all-time at Samford, respectively. In the 60-meter dash finals, Justin Emerson placed eighth in 6.91 and in the 60-meter hurdles, Cavan Corcoran placed 12th (8.34).

School record holder Claire Goodson finished second in Saturday's pole vault as the highest collegiate finisher in the field. Her highest clearance of the day was 12-7.5 (3.85m), as she tried but failed to clear 13-1.5 (4.00m). Ashley Cope tied a personal best in the vault and was not far behind in fourth (12-1.5, 3.70m). Cope also competed in Saturday's 60-meter hurdle finals (16th, 9.10) along with Julie McDonald (7th, 8.73).

Samford will not compete next weekend, as they will be preparing for the 2012 SoCon Indoor Track and Field Championships beginning on Thursday, Feb. 23. Samford will serve as host for the event, with events taking place over two days at the Birmingham CrossPlex.