KNOXVILLE, Tenn. and RADFORD, Va. (April 14, 2007) - The ETSU track and field team wrapped up competition Saturday afternoon as they sent competitors to the Sea Relays and the Highlander Collegiate Challenge.

The men's 4x100-meter relay team ran solid at the Sea Relays as they came away with a second-place finish. The crew of Chris Harrison (Woodbridge, Va.), Derek Carey (Nassau, Bahamas), Johnny Tucker  (Spartanburg, S.C.) and James Rainer (Alcoa, Tenn.) beat out some tough competition such as Tennessee and Penn State, finishing with a time of 40.71. The Bucs just missed the title as Johnson County CC finished first in 40.69.

"They really ran well today, and to be able to beat out some bigger programs says a lot about how strong of a team they are," said associated head coach Michelle Bynre. "The weather conditions were not ideal, but this proves they are capable of running fast on any given day."

The rest of the ETSU track and field team traveled to Radford to compete in the Highlander Collegiate Challenge on Saturday. Despite soggy and windy conditions, the Buccaneer throwers provided strong performances in their respective events.

Freshman Zachlynn Blackburn (Tazewell, Va.) smashed Danita Fletcher's (130-05) nine-year-old school record in the hammer, with a heave of 149-08 (45.62m). The mark was also Blackburn's best throw this season. Dedra Jones, another Tazewell, Va. native, had a very successful showing in the hammer as well. Jones set a personal best with a toss of 148-00 (45.12m), which is 13 feet longer than her previous best set at the Weems Baskin Relays earlier this season.

On the men's side, freshman Dakota Cagle (Rutherford College, N.C.) posted a season-best in the shot put, with a mark of 49-05.75 (15.08m). His toss is two feet longer than his previous best (47-05). Sophomore's Brad Jones (Spruce Pine, N.C.) and Guy Hornsby (Morgantown, W. Va.) competed well in the hammer. Hornsby finished third with a mark of 138-08 (42.29m), while Jones set a personal best of 120-04 (36.69m).

"I am happy with their performances today, added assistant coach Meg Stone. "To be able to set school records and personal bests in these types of conditions shows how well they can compete when the weather is better."

In other events, Allie Frazier (Knoxville) and Vicki Currie (Dumfries, Scotland) placed second and fourth in the 800-meters. Nic Chernikow (Seymour, Tenn.) won the 110-meter hurdles, finishing in a time of 16.98.