Raleigh, N.C. (March 26, 2005) - A small contingent of student-athletes represented East Tennessee State University track and field team at the Raleigh Relays, a two-day meet hosted by N.C. State. The group stepped up to the challenge and produced a solid performance and demonstrated much improvement from their first meet of the season.

Freshman distance runners Jordan Ladd (Lyn, Ontario) and Bernard Towett (Kericho, Kenya) placed fourth (31:36.24) and fifth (31:43.72), respectively in their first collegiate 10,000m run.

"They continue to improve from week to week," stated Head Coach David E. Walker. "It was their first 10K run and I think they can build upon this performance."

In the 1,500m, sophomore Josh Hicks (Riceville, Tenn.) recorded a lifetime best of 3:57.72.

The women's distance team also had strong representation at this weekend's meet. Sophomore Maggie Hunter (Roanoke, Va.) finished second in the unseeded 5,000m with a time of 18:51.08, while junior Christine Ward (Candler, N.C.) ran in the seeded 5,000m and finished with a time of 18:02.63. MacKenzie LaBonte (Port Charlotte, Fla.) also had a strong run in the 800m finishing in 14th-place with atime of 2:21.73.

In the 400 meters, senior Nichola Cornish (Spartanburg, S.C.) took third place with a time of 55.52. She then competed with teammates Jenny Knox (Connelly Springs, N.C.), Chantelle Vernon (Markham, Ontario), and Jennifer Habbestad (Tampa, Fla.) in the 4X400 meter relay in which ETSU finished 11th with a time of 3:56.78.

In the field events, high jumpers Shane Estes (Maryville, Tenn.) and Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) had a solid outing and continued to show technical improvements that they are working on with volunteer assistant coach Jason Farr. Estes finished tenth with a mark of 1.95m, while Ricciardi finished third with a mark of 1.70m.

Track and Field action continues for the Bucs as they return home to prepare to host the Walker Open on Friday, April 1 at Liberty Bell in Johnson City.