Wednesday, April 01, 2009

MACON, Ga. (April 1, 2009) - Senior runner Heidi Dahl (Orem, Utah) and junior thrower Jarrod Burton (Bastian, Va.) had productive weekends in their 2009 Outdoor Track and Field season debut, and on Wednesday afternoon the pair of Buccaneer student-athletes received Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Week honors, announced by the league office.

Dahl made her season debut for the Bucs on Friday evening, and she came away with an impressive showing at the Stanford Invitational.  Dahl - who was coming off a NCAA Championship appearance in the mile during the indoor season - set a regional qualifying mark in the 1500m run on Cobb Track, located on the campus of Stanford University. The Orem, Utah native finished seventh overall in her section one race with a time 4:23.70. Less than 24 hours after setting a Regional Qualifying time in the 1500m on Friday evening, the senior runner returned to the track to do the same in the 800m on Saturday afternoon.  Dahl won her section in the event and finished fourth overall with a qualifying time of 2:06.41.

Meanwhile, Burton highlighted the Buccaneer track and field team in their outdoor season debut at the Milligan Relays by breaking ETSU records in both the hammer and shot put, while setting a new meet record in the discus. Burton, who already held the previous school mark in the hammer and shot put, won all four throwing events last Thursday - including the javelin. The dominate thrower shattered his previous record by over 12 feet in the hammer with a mark of 176-00.75 (53.67m), and his toss of 51-06.50 (15.71m) in the shot was five inches longer than his old Buccaneer best. Then, in the discus, Burton won the event with a meet record of 149-04.75 (45.54m). Overall Burton capped off the sweep in the throws by winning the javelin (167-07.75).

This marks the fifth time Dahl has been named Athlete of the Week in the conference and first during the outdoor campaign. Burton picked up his fourth career award and first of the outdoor season.

The Bucs return to action this weekend when a contingent of athletes competes in the Florida Relays, beginning Friday, April 3 in Gainesville.

For more information on Buccaneer track and field, visit www.ETSUBucs.com.