Sept. 23, 2003

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Samford freshman Lauren Blankenship was named the Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Female Athlete of the Week for her performance last week at the Crimson Classic. She is the first Bulldog Cross Country athlete to be named OVC Athlete of the week.

Blankenship finished fourth at the Crimson Classic with a personal best time of 18:24 in the 5K race. Her time helped the Bulldogs to a fifth-place team finish against some of the best teams in the country.

The freshman from Alpharetta, Ga., finished seventh in the opening meet at the Belmont Opener running two miles in 11:24.

Blankenship and the Bulldogs will be in action again on October 4, as Samford travels to Louisville, Ky. for the Cardinal Classic.