April 28, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford track and field team will take a select group of student-athletes to compete at the prestigious Drake Relays this weekend, hosted by Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Drake Stadium will also be the site for this year's NCAA Track and Field Championships, June 8-11.
Samford head coach Rod Tiffin will take four Samford men and one Samford woman to represent the Bulldogs at this national meet. Michael Seaman, Kyle Kirby, Thomas Oliver and Brandon Bassett will represent the men while Chenelle Terry will represent the women.
Seaman, Oliver and Bassett are fresh off wins at the Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships last weekend, hosted by Samford at the brand new Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
Seaman led the Bulldogs to a sweep of the podium, landing in first place in the event for the third-straight meet. Seaman has only been beaten once this outdoor season, finishing second at the Alabama Relays. He also holds the school record in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault.
Oliver also led Samford to a sweep of the podium last weekend in the javelin, after finishing second in the event at last season's championships. He notched a school record of 208-10 on his way to winning the event.
Bassett won the decathlon for the Bulldog men at the SoCon Championships, setting a new school record and a SoCon record with 7040 points. Bassett also set a new school record in the decathlon long jump.
Kirby finished second in the hammer throw last weekend and holds the school record in the event.
All four men lead the league in their respective events as well.
Terry finished second in the women's high jump last weekend, tying the school record of 5-7. She also is third in the league in the high jump.
Oliver and Bassett will compete in the men's javelin at 10:45 a.m. on Friday. Terry will then take on the high jump at 1 p.m. followed by Seaman in the pole vault at 1:15 p.m. Kirby will participate in the men's hammer throw Saturday afternoon at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on the Drake Relays or to watch the meet live via the internet, go to www.drakerelays.org. A full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of Samford's action in each day of competition.
