Johnson City hosted the 31st Niswonger Invitational on Friday and Saturday. Over 2,000 student athletes competed, many of whom broke numerous records.
Five Buccaneer athletes claimed titles, including senior Heidi Dahl who broke the record for the mile with 4:43.85.
Junior Jarrod Burton also prospered in the event. On Saturday, Burton finished second and set a new school record with 54 feet, 10 inches in the 35-pound shotput.
“It was pretty exciting,” said Burton. “I came out and had a couple bad throws and then I got it together on my last throw and made it into finals and had a pretty successful day. I still need a lot of improvement before conference and hopefully nationals.”
Schools ranging from UNC Asheville, Western Carolina, Georgia, to Charleston South all competed against the Bucs.
“Supposedly there are 206 colleges and universities (at the event), the largest crowd we have ever had,” said head coach David Walker. “Everyone decided to come here this year because a few meets have been cancelled and it is a week later than usual.”
ETSU managed to end the event productively. In the men’s 400-meter dash, freshman Quentin Greenlee finished fourth, while sophomore Ashton Bishop placed fifth in the Women’s 60-meter hurdles. Senior Cagney Bailey finished sixth in the women’s 60-meter dash.
Freshman Patrick Bearry threw the 35-pound weight to break his previous personal record by five feet.
The dome was not only filled with collegiate athletes, but also various high schools, unaffiliated competitors and some elementary schools who competed in a relay race on Friday afternoon.
Anna Marie Ricciardi, an alumni high jumper from 2007 ,was there to watch her former teammates compete.
“It’s always fun to be around the track atmosphere and be at the dome,” Ricciardi said. “It’s like my home, and this has been a great turnout.
I’m glad I can put some time back into the track and field program at ETSU that has given me so much.”
Next weekend, the Bucs travel to Blackburg, Va., to compete in the Virginia Tech Invitational. For more information on track and field, go to www.ETSUBucs.com.

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