Sunday, February 12, 2006

Fayetteville, Ark. (Feb. 11, 2006) - Senior James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) and junior Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) each turned in solid performances this past weekend, competing among the world's best athletes and the nation's best collegians at the Tyson Invitational on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

Rainer continued his record-setting season in the 60 meter dash, again breaking the school-record with a 6.72 time in the semifinals.  It is the third time this season that Rainer has set a new ETSU record in the 60-meters.  Rainer's time was not enough to advance him to the final heat, but only two collegians posted strong enough times to join the six world-class athletes in the finals. Rainer finished as the third-best collegian, beating out 45 other athletes from 23 different schools.

Ricciardi placed third in the high jump, continuing her stellar junior campaign.  Ricciardi completed a jump of 1.69 meters (5-6.50), topping 18 other jumpers from 12 different institutions.  It is Ricciardi's fourth top-three finish of the season.

The remainder of the track & field squad took the week off in preparation for next week's Atlantic Sun Indoor Track & Field Championships held at Memorial Center in Johnson City, Tenn. Competition begins on Friday, February 11.