Saturday, May 06, 2006

COLUMBUS, Ohio (May 6, 2006) - Junior Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) took home top honors in the high jump while competing at the Jesse Owens Classic, hosted by Ohio State on Saturday.  The junior soared over a career-best and NCAA regional-qualifying height of 5-8.75 (1.75m) to earn first place.

"I really feel good about the progress (assistant coach) Jason (Farr) is making with her as her event coach," said associate head coach Michelle Byrne.  "She's really becoming a student of her event, and it's really starting to pay off."

Elsewhere, sprinters James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) and Johnny Tucker (Spartanburg, S.C.) competed at the Orange and Purple Classic at Clemson.  Rainer finished third in the competitive field, running 10.54, while Tucker took 12^th overall in 10.96.

The Bucs travel to Atlanta, Ga., next weekend for the Georgia Tech Invitational.  Competition is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 12, and run through Saturday, May 13.