May 7, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University track and field team will take a small group of athletes to the Georgia Invitational Saturday to try to qualify for the first round of the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Five Bulldogs have already qualified for the first round which will be held in Greensboro, N.C., May 28-29.

The criterion for qualifying for the first round is to be in the top 48 of their respective events in the eastern division. Patrick Wells currently ranks 25th in the pole vault with his school record mark of 16-10.75 which he posted at the SoCon Championships. Michael Seaman is just four spots behind at 29th with his mark of 16-08.75.

Cameron Bean qualified for the steeplechase with his school record time of 9:01.32 which he posted at the Pepsi Florida Relays. The mark currently ranks him 35th in the east. Thomas Oliver ranks 44th in the east with his school record of 207-10 in the javelin.

Hillary Neal is the only female who has qualified for Samford so far. She ranks 22nd in the east in the steeplechase with her SoCon Championship-winning time of 10:42.61.

Chenelle Terry and Kyle Kirby sit just outside of the qualifying standards and look to post marks that will land them in the top 48 this weekend.

Terry, who is 57th in the high jump right now, will compete in the women's high jump at the Georgia Invitational at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Kirby, who is currently 63rd in the east in the hammer throw, will compete in the men's hammer throw Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Other Bulldogs who will be competing this weekend are Julie McDonald in the 100-meter hurdles and the 100-meter dash and Ashley Bridenbaugh in the 400-meter hurdles. The 100-meter hurdles will begin at 11:30 a.m. while the 100-meter dash and the 400-meter hurdles will be run at 1:05 p.m.

A full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of the meet.