Blacksburg, Va. (Jan. 15, 2005) - The East Tennessee State track and field team competed in the final day of competition at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday afternoon.  

In the distance events, sophomore Joshua Hicks (Riceville, Tenn.) competed in the 800-meter dash and finished 10th with a time of 1:57.65, while senior Peter Dalton (Dublin, Ireland) finished 10^th in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:36.11. Both Hick's and Dalton's times were personal bests.

Senior Chantelle Vernon (Markham, Ontario) continued to run well for the Bucs, as she competed in the 200-meter dash for the Bucs and finished with a time of 25.33. Nichola Cornish (Spartanburg, S.C.) also competed in the event for the Bucs and had a solid performance recording a time of 25.34.

In the 200-meter dash for the men, sophomore Johnny Tucker (Spartanburg, S.C.) recorded a time of 22.62. Freshmen Tyler Woodruff (Sevierville, Tenn.) and Michael Wright (Chattanooga, Tenn.) also competed in the event for ETSU finishing with times of 23.45 and 23.83 respectively.

Woodruff also competed for the Bucs on the men's 4X400 meter relay and had a strong leg running a 50-second split time.

"Overall, it was a good learning experience for us," said assistant coach Michelle Byrne. "Two top SEC schools were there in Tennessee and South Carolina. Some of our athletes showed that they can step up. Others were a little intimidated by the experience and they learned that they need to focus on what they are doing and not worry about those around them, because their actions are the only ones they can control." 

With a few meets under its belt, the ETSU track and field team will now prepare to host the third annual Niswonger Track and Field Invitational at the Memorial Center next weekend Jan. 21-22. The event which will include over 80 teams begins Friday at 11:30 a.m. with the final event of the evening is set to begin at 9:00 p.m. and continues on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets for the meet please contact the ETSU ticket office at (423) 439-ETSU (3878). The ticket price for both days of competition is $10 for adults and $4 for students and youth. Each adult ticket purchased enters the individual in a drawing to win a framed autographed picture of NASCAR legend Dale Eanrhardt and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. The drawing will be held on Saturday and individuals must be present to win.