May 3, 2012
Full Release Notes 
Meet Schedule
Live Results
SAMFORD MULTI
The Bulldogs kick off the month of May by hosting the Samford Multi on Friday, May 4 and Saturday, May 5 at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
MEN AND WOMEN PLACE THIRD AT SOCON OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Samford men's and women's teams both finished third at the 2012 SoCon Outdoor Championships, as they crowned a combined five individual champions over the weekend. Additionally, Emily Allen was named the Women's Most Valuable Field Performer and Bob Elliot II was named the Men's Freshman of the Year.
The Bulldog pole vaulters lived up to their stellar reputation as Claire Goodson and Owen Wagoner earned titles in the women's and men's events, respectively. Goodson won with a height of 12-9.5 (3.90m), while Ashley Cope (5th - 11-9.75, 3.60m) and Laura Bedsole (6th - 11-3.75, 3.45m) added more team points with top-eight finishes. The men placed four in the top eight, with Wagoner leading the group at 17-0.75 (5.20m). Defending outdoor champion and 2012 indoor champion Michael Seaman finished second (16-8.75, 5.10m) with Ryan Cook in fourth (15-7, 4.75m) and Bo Ackerson-Gilroy in seventh (14-7.25, 4.45m).
Emily Allen earned a third title for the Bulldogs, winning the women's hammer throw with a new school-record distance of 181-0 (55.17m). The Brentwood, Tenn., native won in dominating fashion, as she out-threw second place by nearly 20 feet. Shelby Builta added team points in the event with a fourth-place finish (154-10, 47.19m).
Samford's fourth title came in the men's javelin, as Thomas Oliver successfully defended his 2011 crown, winning the 2012 competition with a toss of 206-5 (62.92m). The Bulldogs placed three in the top five, with Ackerson-Gilroy finishing third (192-2, 58.58m) and Kanon Burt placing fifth (173-1, 52.77m).
Ashley Cope was Samford's fifth champion as she held on to win her second-consecutive outdoor heptathlon title with 4,743 points. Christian McGuire increased her standing on the second day of competition to finish in second with 4,656 points, helped by top-three finishes in all three events on day two. Macy Conger moved up two spots as well, placing fifth with 4,408 points.
LAST TIME OUT: DRAKE RELAYS, COACH "O" INVITATIONAL
Members of the Samford track and field team competed in two separate meets last weekend, with three heading to the annual Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, while six others traveled to Troy, Ala., for the Coach "O" Invitational.
At Drake, Claire Goodson finished sixth in the women's pole vault with a height of 12-7.5 (3.85m). Michael Seaman finished seventh in the men's competition, clearing 16-10.75 (5.15m). Julie McDonald also finished 23rd in the women's 100-meter hurdles (14.78).
At the Coach "O" Invitational, Emily Allen set a new school record in the women's hammer throw, placing second with a impressive toss of 182-1 (55.51m). Katelyn Poole set a new PR in the event as well, placing 13th (138-1, 42.10m). Chenelle Terry finished second in the women's high jump with a height of 5-6.5 (1.69m), the highest mark of any collegiate competitor in the field. Shelby Builta placed third in the women's javelin (127-5, 38.84m) while Thomas Oliver placed sixth in the men's competition (187-11, 57.29m). Builta also competed in the women's discus, placing fifth (137-10, 42.03m), while Kristen Brining finished 10th (128-11, 39.31m).
UP NEXT
Samford competes in its last meet before Regionals, as they head to Tallahassee, Fla. for the Seminole Twilight Invitational on Saturday, May 12.
