Saturday, March 03, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Mar. 3, 2007) - Senior Anna Marie Ricciardi (Canfield, Ohio) and freshman Jarrod Burton (Bastian, Va.) each competed at the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet on Saturday afternoon; however, both fell short of a bid for an NCAA Provisional qualifying mark in their respective events.

Ricciardi jumped 1.72 meters (5-07.75), short of the NCAA Provisional mark of 1.78 meters.  Natalie Sako of Akron won the event with a jump of 1.82 meters (5-11.50), while Ricciardi finished third.

The senior high jumper closed out an outstanding indoor career at ETSU. Ricciardi set a school record and personal best mark earlier this season at the Carolina Invitational, with a leap of 1.78 meters (5-10), which led to A-Sun Athlete of the Week honors. Ricciardi also won her third consecutive indoor conference title in the high jump with a leap of 1.67 meters (5-05.75).

            On the men's side, Burton competed in the weight throw on Saturday afternoon and finished seventh. Burton's toss of 16.17 meters (53-00.75) fell well short of the NCAA Provisional mark of 19.50 meters. East Carolina's Eric Frasure won the event with his heave of 21.12 meters (69-03.50).

            Burton closed out a sensational indoor season by rewriting the record books in both the weight and shot put. His heave of 17.63 meters (57-10.25) captured the A-Sun title in the weight and also broke his previous school record in the event, while his toss of 16.07 meters (52-08.75) set a new school record in the shot put.

            The ETSU track and field team will now prepare for its outdoor season which starts in two weeks at the Charlotte 49er Classic on March 16.