Bucs get in good preparation for the upcoming Atlantic Sun Championship

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Feb. 8, 2014) – The ETSU men’s and women’s track & field teams wrapped things up at the Samford Multi & Invitational with strong performances throughout inside the Birmingham Crossplex.

“I am pleased with our team performances over the two days at the Samford Multi & Invitational,” said ETSU Director of Track & Field/Cross Country George Watts. “We continue to show progress in all areas as we established many personal bests.”

In total, on day two at the Multi & Invitational, the Buccaneers registered seven top-five event finishes, including three top-three standings. Additionally, Nathan Rivera (Knoxville, Tenn.) took fourth overall in the men’s heptathlon with a score of 4542.

For the women, much of its success on Saturday came in the field with a pair of top-five finishes in two separate events. Katerina Vodova (Humpolec, Czech Republic) registered third place in the long jump with a leap of 5.82 meters. In the triple jump, Lexie Burley (Johnson City, Tenn.) took fifth place with a mark of 12.15 meters.

“Lexie Burley should be very pleased with her triple jump as she established herself as a contender for a conference championship,” said Watts.

On the men’s side, in addition to Rivera’s achievement, ETSU finished in the top-five in five total events including three top-three standings in three different events. In distance action, Angus Baldwin (Tumbi Umbi, Australia) took third in the mile run with a collegiate-high 4:14.07 time. In the field, the Bucs notched a pair of top-three finishes with Ryan Beaver (Virginia Beach, Va.) finishing third in the long jump with a collegiate-best launch of 7.29 meters, while Brett Squibbs (Rock Hill, S.C.) notched a third-place finish in the men's pole vault with a collegiate-high mark of 5.15 meters. The mark is an ETSU indoor record in the event.

“Brett Squibbs continues to raise his school record in the pole vault with another nice improvement,” said Watts.   

The Bucs will be back in action at the 2014 Atlantic Sun Indoor Track & Field Championship, Feb. 21 -22, in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“Hidden in the results are some very strong performances that improve our team’s chances as we head into the A-Sun Championship two weeks from now.  It's time to sharpen up, stay healthy and elevate our performances one more time.”

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