BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University track and field teams competed in its first indoor meet of the 2016 season on Friday, Jan. 15, at the UAB Blazer Invitational held at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

"I think it was a good start for a lot of our athletes. Our young freshman throwers performed well for their first competition but Kimberly Ruch kinda stole the show and led our new young sprint group." Head Coach Rod Tiffin said. "She had a personal best and two conference leading marks. It's great when seniors make the most of their last season."

The Bulldogs opened the day of competition in strong fashion as sophomore Emma Garner set a new personal best in the women's mile with her 6^th place finish time of 5:08.11.

Senior Brandon Hazouri opened the throttle in the men's mile as he set not only a new personal best but broke the Samford record and UAB Blazer Invitational meet record with his 4:07.56 time to place 1^st overall. Arsene Guillorel followed closely behind Hazouri to place 2^nd in the event with a time of 4:10.01.

"Brandon opened up with a school record so I was glad to see him return to form after not being able to compete in cross this fall." Tiffin said.

In the men's long jump Marquis Barnes picked up right where he left off in the outdoor season as he took a 3^rd place finish in event with his impressive school record leap of 7.20m.

Sophomore Sarah Sanford sprinted her way to the women's 60 meter hurdle finals after she took 1^st in her heat with a time of 8.59. Sanford closed out the finals with a time of 8.60 to finish 8^th overall in the event.

"I was really excited for Sarah Sanford to pick up where she left off last year and for Marquis setting a new school record in the jump."

In the men's weight throw competition Brian Hill captured another Top 5 finish for the Bulldogs as he placed 4^th in the event with a throw of 15.92m.

Another Bulldog placed in the Top 5 of an event with Keyth Fightmaster's 4^th place finish in the high jump with a mark of 2.05m.

Senior Adams Jones closed out the distance events at the meet with a time of 8:47.63 in the men's 3,000 meters with a 4^th place overall finish.

Tray Oates posted a 4.85m mark in the men's pole vault to secure a 2nd place finish in the event.

"Overall we have some work to do but I feel we are ready to put in the effort to get it done. We can get better and this what is so exciting to me." Tiffin concluded.

Notable Performances

• Victoria Wicks sets a pair of new personal best in the 60 meter hurdles (9.50) and the 400 meters (59.35).
• Kimberly Ruch sets a new personal best in the 60 meter dash (7.65 – 9^th).
• Andrew Jaeger posts a new personal best in the 800 meters (2:00.13 – 8^th).
• Aerial Horton takes home a Top 10 finish in the women's weight throw (16.65m – 9^th).
• Brian Hill & Brian Smith placed 10^th (13.94m) and 12^th (13.50m) respectively in the men's shot put.
• Courtney Prengaman notched a Top 10 finish in the women's high jump (1.64m).
• Carrie Neill tied her personal best mark in the women's high jump (1.59m – 19^th).
• Jordan Highsmith led the Bulldogs in the long jump with a 16^th place finish (5.20m).

 
Newcomer Notes

• Selena Popp competed in the high jump and recorded a 23^rd place finish (1.54m).
• Daijah White & Jaida Cole place 27^th in the women's 60 meter dash with a time of 7.88.
• Tatiana Taylor comes in 8^th (16.80m) while Ruby Caldwell places 17^th (13.88m) overall in the women's weight throw competition.
• Owen Bailey placed 15^th in the men's 800 meters with a time of 2:02.23.
• Megan Meadow took home a 7^th place finish in the long jump (11.67m) & a 19^th place finish in the women's long jump (5.13m).
• Tonia McKinley placed 34^th in the women's 200 meter dash with a time of 26.10.