JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 17, 2004) - East Tennessee State University cross country and track and field assistant coach Michelle Byrne announced today that Tennessee standout Traci McAmis (Cleveland, Tenn.) has signed a national letter of intent to compete for the Buccaneer squad beginning in the 2005-06 season.

"She will be a tremendous addition to the program," stated Byrne. "She's a top 10 lady in the state and she will add to our depth to form a great group for the 2005-06 season."

A distance runner, McAmis is in her senior season this year at Walker Valley High School. This season she has ranked sixth in the state in cross country, improving from her junior season finish as eighth in the state. In her junior season of outdoor track and field she was ranked third in the state in AA track and sixth in the state in the mile. McAmis is coached by Gary Baird, who is the father of ETSU track and field all-conference alumnus Aaron Baird.

            "Traci has an engaging personality. She is a focused student athlete and in the structured college training atmosphere I think she'll really excel," said Byrne.