JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 26, 2005) - The Buccaneers completed the indoor season with the end of competition at the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Memorial Center on Saturday afternoon. The men's team placed finish fourth overall, while the women placed fifth. ETSU took four championships during the two-day event, had eleven All-Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field honors presented to nine different individuals, and ETSU's Shane Estes (Maryville, Tenn.) picked up SoCon Indoor Male Freshman of the Year honors for his performance in the high jump.

The day's events began with the completion of the men's heptathlon. The Bucs were represented by freshman Michael Wright (Chattanooga, Tenn.), who was in second place at the start of Saturday's competition just 13 points behind the leader. At the end of all seven events Wright took third place with a total of 4,375points.

"Wright had a phenomenal two days of competition," said assistant coach Michelle Byrne. "He has demonstrated his ability to have a extremely promising career with his ability to pick up all-conference honors as a freshman."

In the men's triple jump, Adan Blevins (Greeneville, Tenn.) and Nathan Strickland (Morganton, N.C.) recorded new season bests to take sixth and seventh respectively. Blevins notched a mark of 13.44m, while Strickland marked 13.08m.

"Both Adan and Nathan showed up to compete today and I'm really proud of their efforts," stated Byrne.

In the high jump, Estes won the event with a lifetime best jump of 1.97m giving ETSU titles on both sides as Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) claimed the title on the women's side on Friday afternoon. Senior Jeremy Snoderly (Maryville, Tenn.) also finished well in the event for the Bucs with a personal best of 1.89m for fifth.

"Shane is a fierce competitor," said Byrne of Estes. "He's the kind of athlete that will thrive in this environment. Our volunteer jumps coach Jason Farr has done an incredible job working with Shane, Anna, and Jeremy. The results are indicative of what the combination of good coaching and good student-athletes can bring."

Joshua Hicks (Riceville, Tenn.) finished fifth in the mile run with a personal best of 4:18.94.

Nichola Cornish (Spartanburg, S.C.) picked up ETSU's second championship title of the meet with her win in the 400 meters. Cornish recorded a season best with her time of 56.21 to claim victory.

Senior Chantelle Vernon (Markham, Ontario) set a new ETSU indoor record in the 60 meters with a time of 7.52, which replaces her old record of 7.54 set last year. Her finish placed her third overall in the conference and earned her all-conference honors.

"We've struggled with Chantelle's start in the last few weeks, but her maturity enabled her to compete well and recover quickly to record a personal best and school record," stated Byrne.

In the 200-meter finals, Vernon, Ebonie Jones (Richmond, Va.), and Jenny Knox (Connelly Springs, N.C.) competed for the Bucs.  Jones finished fourth overall with a time of 24.98, Vernon fifth overall with a time of 25.14, and Knox seventh overall with a time of 25.53.

In the men's sprints, James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) took first in the 60 meters with a time of 6.83.

"James' effort this weekend was phenomenal," said Byrne. "The confidence he competed with this weekend was tremendous. He really stepped up and got it done."

In the 5,000 meter run, Christine Ward (Candler, N.C.) led the Bucs with a time of lifetime best of18:17.17 for sixth place. Maggie Hunter (Roanoke, Va.) also competed for the Bucs finishing with a time of 19:09.33.

"Christine was tenacious and never quit competing during today's race. It was the first time that she has scored individually for us and I'm proud of her hard work and efforts that she put forth," stated Byrne.

On the men's side, ETSU was led in the 5,000 meters by freshman Jordan Ladd (Lyn, Ontario) who finished eighth with a time of 15:12.51, junior Peter Dalton (Dublin, Ireland) followed with 15:21.18 for ninth place.

In the final event of the day, the 4X400 relay, ETSU's women's team finished third with a time of 3:58.95 for All-SoCon honors, while the men finished fifth with a time of 3:26.54.

"I'm thrilled with our women's 4X400 performance and hope the momentum in this race and all events today will carry over to the outdoor season," commented Byrne. "For our kids who really showed up today the personal records came, and that is indicative of the progress our team is making."

Men's Rankings - Final
1.             Appalachian State               231.5     
2.             Western Carolina                                224.5

3.             Chattanooga                        64
4.             ETSU                                     60
5.             UNC Greensboro                                35
6.             The Citadel                           22.5
7.             Davidson                               13.5
8.             Wofford                                  6

Women's Rankings - Final
1.             Appalachian State               161.83
2.             Western Carolina                                152.5
3.             Georgia Southern                                125.5
4.             Chattanooga                        75.5

5.             ETSU                                     54

6.             Elon                                        27.33

7.             C of C                                     23.33

8.             Furman                                  23

9.             Davidson                               9

10           The Citadel                           6

11.          UNC Greensboro                                4

ETSU SoCon Indoor Champions

Women's

Anna Marie Ricciardi           W. High Jump

Nichola Cornish                  W. 400 meters

Men's

James Rainer                      M. 60 meters

Shane Estes                      M. High Jump

ETSU All-SoCon Indoor

Women's

Nichola Cornish                  W. 400 meters

                                                W. 4 X 400 Relay

Jennifer Habbestad            W. 4 X 400 Relay

Ebonie Jones                       W. Long Jump

                                                W. 4 X 400 Relay

Anna Marie Ricciardi           W. High Jump

Chantelle Vernon                                W. 60 meters

                                W. 4 X 400 Relay

Men's

Michael Wright                     M. Heptathlon

James Rainer                      M. 60 meters

Shane Estes                      M. High Jump

SoCon Male Indoor Freshman of the Year

Shane Estes                      M. High Jump