KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (May 27, 2006) - Senior James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) finished sixth overall in the 100-meters at the NCAA Mid-East Regional Championships, Saturday at Tom Black Track.  Rainer blazed to a wind-legal 10.37 seconds, after running a career-best and school record time of 10.16 in yesterday's prelims.

LSU's Xavier Carter won the competition, clocking 10.22 for the regional crown.  The top five finishers will receive automatic bids to the NCAA Championships in June.  Rainer still has a shot at making a trip to nationals, with several at-large bids to be determined by the NCAA.  The NCAA is slated to release the final list of qualifiers on Tuesday.

"James has had a great couple of days," said ETSU associate head coach Michelle Byrne.  "You can't ask for much more from an athlete when he's run back-to-back lifetime bests in the biggest meet of his collegiate career."

The NCAA Championships are slated for June 7-10, in Sacramento, Calif.  Stay tuned to ETSUBucs.com for updates on Rainer's standing in the 100 field.