CULLOWHEE, N.C. (May 1, 2005) - The East Tennessee State University track and field team finished competition at the 2005 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the new Track and Field complex on the campus of Western Carolina University on Sunday afternoon. Both the men's and women's teams finished the two day event in fifth place. The day saw two Buccaneers Nichola Cornish (Spartanburg, S.C.) and Shane Estes (Maryville, Tenn.) win conference titles in the 400 meters and high jump respectively.

Senior Nichola Cornish (Spartanburg, S.C.) successfully defended her SoCon Outdoor title in the 400 meters. She finished with her second regional qualifying mark of the season 54.59 to win the event.

"Nichola has continued to step up throughout her senior year and has really stamped out her mark in this event," stated assistant coach Michelle Byrne.

In the 100-meter finals ETSU's Chantelle Vernon (Markham, Ontario) finished fourth with a time of 11.85, while Jenny Knox (Connelly Springs, N.C.) finished seventh with a personal best of 12.09. Knox went on to record another personal best in the 200-meter finals of 24.68 for eighth place. Her teammate Ebonie Jones (Richmond, Va.) also advanced to the finals in the event and placed fourth with her time of 24.47.

            In the 800-meter finals, Tiffany Collier (Atlanta, Ga.) took fifth (2:20.32), while Jennifer Habbestad (Tampa, Fla.) placed eighth (2:24.02).

            In the women's distance events, Christine Ward (Candler, N.C.) and Maggie Hunter (Roanoke, Va.) competed in the 5000m run. Ward finished fifth (18:00.10), while Hunter finished 14th (19:21.25). Freshman Ali Carney (Sevierville, Tenn.) competed in the 1500m run and placed 15th (5:06.07).

            The relays also saw success for the Bucs as both the 4x100m (46.38) and 4x400m (3:53.09) teams finished third.

            On the men's side, Josh Hicks (Riceville, Tenn.) competed well throughout the day finishing seventh in the 800 meters with a time of 2:04.47 and placing fourth in the 1500m with a time of 3:59.68.

            In the hurdles, Michael Wright (Chattanooga, Tenn.) took fourth in the 110-meters hurdles finishing with a time of 15.26, while Tyler Woodruff (Sevierville, Tenn.) placed eighth in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 58.41.

            "Michael put forth a great job all-around in his individual effort and played a big part in ETSU's finish," said Byrne. "I'm excited about his development and his future here at ETSU."

In the men's relays a solid effort was put fourth as the 4x100m team finished fifth (43.32) and the 4X400m team finished seventh (3:34.89).

            In the field events, three ETSU high jumpers earned All-SoCon honors. Sophomore Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) took second place for the women with a mark of 1.67m in the high jump, while Shane Estes (Maryville, Tenn.) took first (1.98m) and Jeremy Snoderly (Maryville, Tenn.) took third (1.90m) on the men's side.

            "Our volunteer assistant coach Jason Farr is doing a tremendous job in the development of our high jumpers," commented Byrne.

            Nathan Strickland (Morganton, N.C.) and Adan Blevins (Greeneville, Tenn.) competed for the Bucs in the triple jump. Blevins jumped 13.92m for seventh place, while Strickland jumped 13.31m for eighth.