JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Nov. 13, 2006) - Associate head coach Michelle Byrne has announced Monday afternoon that Ashton Bishop (Gate City, Va.) and Taylor Isgrig (Weaverville, N.C.) have signed national letters of intent to compete for the Buccaneers starting in 2007-08.

            "As a staff we are all very excited that both Bishop and Isgrig signed with us, because they will be huge additions to our program," said Byrne. "They are both huge additions to our team since not only are they strong in their event areas, but they can compete in other events as well."

            Bishop, a product of Gate City High School, has been accustomed to winning state championships throughout her three years as a Blue Devil. This past season as a junior, Bishop went on to win the state championship in 100 and 300 meter hurdles as well as in the high jump. She blasted the competition in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15.45, marking her best time of the season. In the 300 meter event, she crossed the finish line two seconds faster than any other runner in the field with a mark of 46.59. Bishop then cleared 5'5" in the high jump, giving her a third title at the championships. As a freshman, she won the state championship in the high jump, 300 meter hurdles and the 1,600. Not only was she busy winning championships in track, but she has won state championships as a member of the volleyball and basketball teams as well. Bishop will not be coming to ETSU alone in the fall, as her friend and classmate Tara Sheets (Weber City, Va.) has recently signed to play for head coach Steve Brooks' tennis squad next fall.

            "We are thrilled to have Bishop sign here at ETSU, as she was being recruited by Louisville, Radford and North Carolina State," said Byrne. "She is probably the biggest female recruit in head coach Dave Walker's and my tenure. Our expectations are very high for her, and she will help us contend for an A-Sun Championship."

            Isgrig is an all-conference athlete in track, basketball and volleyball at North Buncombe High School. She holds the school record in the pole vault at 11'0", and is a two-time Mountain Athletic Conference champion in the event as well. Isgrig can be useful in other events, as she set a personal best in the long jump with a leap of 16'1". While attending ETSU she plans on majoring in physical therapy, and hopes to help the ETSU women's track team win an A-Sun Championship.

            "I am very delighted for Isgrig to join us next fall, because she is a gifted athlete and committed to her sport," said ETSU throws coach Meg Stone. "She will give us strength in the pole vault area, but can also compete in other events as well."

The ETSU indoor track season begins on Dec. 1 when members of the team compete at the Clemson Indoor Opener. The rest of the team will begin its season on Dec. 2 at the Appalachian State Invitational. For more information on track and field as well as all other Bucs sports please visit www.ETSUBucs.com.