Oct. 4, 2003

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Samford women's cross country team finished fourth and the men's team finished fifth at the Cardinal Cross Country Classic in Lousiville, Ky. today. Bryan Baddorf led the way for the men's team finishing third and for the third consecutive meet freshman Lauren Blankenship led the women finishing fifth.

"I am very pleased with the way the women ran and with the top three on the men's side," Head Coach Glenn McWaters said. "Everyone on both teams are making progress, will still have to work on getting all finishing grouped together. We proved today that we can run with anyone in the Southeast."

Tennessee, who is the defending champion in the South Region, won the men's race followed by Eastern Kentucky, Louisville, Morehead State and Samford rounded out the top five.

Baddorf ran the 8K race in 25:15, Chad Johnson finished ninth with a time of 25:42, Ricky McLain finished 22nd with a time of 26:14, Ben Whitaker and Ben Dennis rounded out the top five for Samford finishing 64th and 72nd, respectively.

On the women's side Kentucky took the team title followed by Miami (Ohio), Eastern Kentucky and Samford to round out the top four. Blankenship ran the 5K race in 18:06 followed by Michelle Brewer who finished in 18:48 for 19th, Jenny Wottle finished 31st with a time of 19:18, Jessica Brewer ran a time of 19:19 for 32nd and Lauren Floyd finished 33rd with a time of 19:20.

Both teams will be back in action Friday, October 10 in Auburn, Ala. for the AuburnBank Invitational.