ETSU registers top mark in three events

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (April 12, 2013) – The ETSU men’s and women’s track & field teams seem to have benefited from a week off from competition last week as they registered a solid start to the Sea Ray Relays on Friday at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium on the University of Tennessee campus.

After some time off last week from competition to prepare for the home stretch of the outdoor season, the Buccaneers got out to a fast start in Knoxville. The Blue and Gold were able to post the top finish in their event from a few student-athletes including in the 100m dash prelims from speedster Ifrish Alberg (Paramaribo, Suriname), in the women’s discus throw from Verena Tobis (Hechingen, Germany) and in the men’s triple jump from Jason Johnson (Philadelphia, Pa.).

Fittingly, senior Johnson showed his progression from a rookie to a veteran by setting an ETSU school record in the triple jump with a mark of 15.42m in the same event he placed 11^th in as a freshman in ETSU’s last appearance in the Relays.

“I am very pleased with our performances today at the Sea Ray Relays,” said ETSU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country George Watts. “We had two big wins, a school record, several top-three finishes and quite a few personal bests. I’m very happy for Jason Johnson as he’s been on the verge of a big breakthrough and it happened today. He broke a long-standing school record and I believe he can do much more.”

In addition to Johnson’s school record, multiple Buccaneers registered collegiate or personal bests at UT. For the men, freshman Blake Isom (Knoxville, Tenn.) returned home and notched a personal best in the discus throw with a mark of 41.30m. In distance competition, junior Anders Ludvigsen (Odense, Denmark) tallied a collegiate best in the 10000m run with a time of 30:58.95.

On the women’s side, the freshmen ruled the day with various personal and collegiate bests, highlighted by Tobis’ personal best toss of 44.56m in the discus throw. Katie Hirko (Oley, Pa.) followed with a collegiate best mark of 4:45.20 and a sixth-place standing in the 1500m run. In the 3000m run, Lisa Pallotta (Leesburg, Va.) provided her best with a ninth-place finish and a time of 10:34.33. Jessica Palmer (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) closed things out for the ladies with a collegiate best time of 39:03.34 and a 10^th-place finish in the 10000m run.

“Verena Tobis had a good day with her win in the discus and third in the javelin, said Watts. “Those were very fine performances for a freshman.”

The Bucs will look to keep things rolling on Saturday on the final day of the Relays as they compete in various field and relay events, as well as running showcases. Sprint finals, such as in the men’s 100m dash, will offer a great chance for a couple more Bucs to register podium finishes. Competition will begin in the field around noon and will conclude with the men’s 4x400m relay set to begin at 4:40 p.m.

“I look forward to the 100m final tomorrow with Ifrish and Rashad Campbell (Henderson, N.C.) representing the Bucs in the sprints,” said Watts. “We must continue to develop our competitiveness in the big meets. Saturday offers us another opportunity to meet the challenges of top-flight compettion.”

Notables:

Men

Jason Johnson – triple jump – 15.42m (SR) – 1^st place

Ifrish Alberg – 100m – 10.38w – 1^st place (prelims)

Angus Baldwin – 1500m – 3:56.95 – 3^rd place

Blake Isom – discus throw – 41.30m (PB) – 8^th place

Rashad Campbell – 100m – 10.58w – 8^th place (prelims)

Ryan Jones – 800m – 1:54.40 – 8^th place

Anders Ludvigsen – 10000m – 30:58.95 (CB) – 9^th place

Graham Boone – triple jump – 13.72m – 9^th place

Women

Verena Tobis – discus throw – 44.56m (PB) – 1^st place, javelin throw – 40.38m – 3^rd place

Kelly Monteleone – triple jump – 12.33m – 2^nd place

Chelsea Clark – 3000m steeplechase – 10:59.55 – 4^th place

Demeteria Edgecombe – 100mH – 13.60w – 5^th place

Kristin Chapman – high jump – 1.60m – 6^th place

Lexie Burley – triple jump – 12.16m – 6^th place

Katie Hirko – 1500m – 4:45.20 (CB) – 6^th place

Lisa Pallotta – 3000m – 10:34.33 (CB) – 9^th place

Emani Harrison – 100m – 11.88 – 10^th place

Tyesha Jones – discus throw – 36.36m – 10^th place

Jessica Palmer – 10000m – 39:03.34 (CB) – 10^th place

ETSU fans wanting to receive Buccaneer news, score updates, in-game promotions and much more sent to their mobile device can do so by signing up for “Buc Updates.” Click here to sign up today!