May 17, 2008

ATLANTA, Ga. ---- Three Samford Bulldogs will compete in the NCAA Mideast Regionals, May 30-31. Four members of the Samford track and field team tried for a last chance at qualifying for the event Saturday at the Georgia Tech Invitational. None of them were able to improve on their marks and qualify but because of qualifying performances earlier in the year, Lauren Blankenship, Hillary Neal and Michael Smith will head to Fayetteville, Ark., to compete for a chance at an NCAA Championships appearance.

Hillary Neal ran her second best time in the 800 meters Saturday with a time of 2:10.85. Neal has already qualified for Regionals in the 800 meters and 1500 meters with her performances at the OVC Championships. Her 800-meter time of 2:09.39 was also a school record.

Michael Smith ran 48.72 in the 400-meter dash Saturday. The time ranks third on Samford's all-time list for the event. He will compete in the 400-meter hurdles at the Mideast Regionals, as he qualified for the even in late April at the UGA Bulldog Unlimited.

Lauren Blankenship will compete in the 5000-meter race at the Regionals, as she qualified in mid-April at the Sea Rays Relays.

Ashley Flowers and Morgan Tyler also tried this weekend for a chance to compete in the Regional Championships. Neither were able to post qualifying marks but both were successful in their respective events Ashley Flowers ran 56.08 in the 400-meter dash, earning 28th place while the time was one of her top three best performances in the event. Tyler ran 1:02.3e7 in the 400-meters while jumping 38'04.00" in the triple jump.