Atlanta, Ga. (Oct. 15, 2005) - The East Tennessee State women's cross country team completed its final tune-up before the Atlantic Sun Conference meet on Saturday, taking fourth at the Georgia State Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.

            Kennesaw State topped the seven team field with 24 points, 45 points ahead of second-place host Georgia State.  ETSU scored 89 points for the meet.

            The Lady Bucs were led by Christine Ward, finishing the 6,000 meter race in 12^th place overall (seventh in team scoring) with a time of 22:51.34.  Mackenzie Labonte (23:28.67) and Traci McAmis (23:46.32) followed Ward, finishing 12^th and 14^th in team scoring, respectively (19^th and 22^nd overall).  Rounding out the scoring for the Lady Bucs was Heather Adkins, 18^th in team scoring (23:54.64 and 27^th overall) and Ali Carney, 38^th in team scoring (23:35.17 and 71^st overall).

"Christine and Mackenzie ran well up front," said head coach Michelle Byrne.  "But the highlight for us today was the way Traci stepped up and ran.  I am really excited to see all the hard work she's been putting in start to pay off."

Allie Frazier, Shaniell Nelson and Sara Atkinson also competed for the lady Bucs.  Frazier posted the best time of the three, finishing just behind Carney in 23:39.74 for 72^nd place.  Nelson (27:54.27) and Atkinson (28:44.42) came in 98^th and 105^th, respectively.

The Lady Bucs are back in action October 29 at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships in Buies Creek, N.C.