KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 13, 2007) - The ETSU track and field team tested its strength against some of the nation's top athletes on Friday, as they completed its first day of the 2007 Sea Relays on the Tom Black Track in nearby Knoxville.

            The top highlight for the Bucs on the men's side was James Rainer's (Alcoa, Tenn.) fifth-place finish in the 100-meters. Rainer finished with a time of 10.44, which was one-tenth of second short of tying his fastest time this season. Wisconsin's Demi Omole beat the entire field, posting a mark of 10.28.

Freshman Chris Harrison (Woodbridge, Va.) had a solid showing in the 400-meters, crossing the line in 49.46.

            On the women's side, sophomore Heather Adkins (Kansas City, Mo.) made a solid 2007 debut in the 10,000 meters, claiming fifth-place with a time of 38:12.43.

            "I am very proud of Heather's run today, because she has battled through injury all season," added associate head coach Michelle Byrne. "To be able to pull off a performance like she did shows how tough of an athlete she is."

Also on the women's side, senior Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) finished tied for 10th in the high jump. A pair of ETSU sprinters posted top-20 finishes in the 100-meters, as Jenny Knox (Connelly Springs, N.C.) and Nae-Nae Bailey (Statesville, N.C.) finished 17th and 19th respectively. Knox won her heat with a mark of 12.14, while Bailey won her heat as well, ending in 12.23. Freshman Vicki Currie (Dumfries, Scotland) ran a season-best in the 800-meters, finishing in 2:16.65.

"This meet featured a lot of top programs and it was the toughest level of competition our athletes have faced all season," said Byrne. "I am very proud of our results today, and it was important for our athletes to compete against a strong field, with our conference championships only a month away."

            The men's 4x100-meter relay team will compete at the Sea Relays Saturday at 2:25 p.m., while the rest of the ETSU track and field team competes at the Radford Collegiate Invite beginning at 10 a.m.