Samford Runners To Compete In NCAA South Regionals

--- Bulldog men and women compete for national title ---

Nov. 10, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Members of the Samford men’s and women’s cross country teams will head to Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend to compete in the NCAA Cross Country South Regional hosted by the University of Tennessee. Seven Bulldog men and five Bulldog women will run for a chance at a national title.

Leading the Samford women on Saturday will be OVC Female Athlete of the Year Katherine Herring.

“Katherine has had an awesome year,” Samford head coach Glenn McWaters said. “She was selected conference runner of the week three times during the regular season. She won the conference and was selected as the Female Athlete of the Year.”

Joining Herring will be All-OVC first team member Britney Almaguer, and All-OVC second team member Robyn DeBenedet. Also running for the Samford women are Katie Almand and Lauren Pilcher.

“This is rebuilding year for our women,” said McWaters, “as everyone but Katherine will return next year. We have also been decimated by an unusual number of injuries. This will be our first race of the season over 6,000 meters. Our other races have been over 5,000 meters. We hope to break into the top 10 at Regionals.”

Competing for the men are All-OVC second team honorees Cameron Bean and Drew Anderwald. Joining them will be Michael Hanson, Bo Brawner, and three freshman, Blaise Carie, Chas Keithan, and Patrick Ollinger.

“This is a very young team with no seniors,” said McWaters. “For our three freshmen – Blaise (Carie), Chas (Keithan), and Patrick (Ollinger) – this will be their first time to ever run 10,000 meters. All of our other races have been 8,000 meters. The addition of 1¼ miles is extremely challenging.

Our men are currently ranked ninth in the South Region. We hope to run well enough in Knoxville to improve on that ranking.”

Throughout the year the men have run 8K and the women have run 5K. The South Region course will consist of a 10K trail for the men and a 6K trail for the women.

“The South Regional course is extremely hilly and challenging,” said McWaters. “It will not produce fast times. Our team will have to show patience, but at the same time, they must run aggressively. I feel that both teams will perform well.”

Lambert Acres Golf Club will serve as the host course for the NCAA South Regional. The women will run first, scheduled for a 10 a.m. ET start. The men will follow, starting at 11 a.m. ET. For results, check www.samfordsports.com.

*** SAMFORD BULLDOGS ***