Wednesday, April 15, 2009

MACON, Ga. - The ETSU track and field team went head-to-head against former SoCon rivals and current Atlantic Sun competitors at the Furman Invitational on Saturday. ETSU Buc Josh Cloyd smashed the competition, earning two titles in his events to earn Athlete of the Week.

Cloyd, a senior pharmacy major, turned in solid performances on Saturday afternoon at the Furman Invitational, as he won both the long and triple jump titles at the Irwin Belk Track Complex. Cloyd turned in season best marks in both the long (23-02) and triple jump (47-09). Those leaps also propelled the senior jumper to the top of the performance charts in the A-Sun.

The Buccaneer track and field team will return to action next weekend when they compete at the UNF Osprey Challenge, which is the same track the 2009 Atlantic Sun Outdoor Championships are going to be held.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers
Justin Crawford, USC Upstate (Pole Vault - Elgin, S.C. - So. - Biology) -- As the former 2009 indoor conference pole vault champion, Justin Crawford continued to "set the bar to new heights" for the Spartans on Saturday at the Furman Invitational, taking first-place in the pole vault with a 15-00.00 performance.

Joshua James, Kennesaw State (Sprints/Hurdles - Conyers, Ga. - So. - Undeclared) -- James set a new Kennesaw State record at the Seminole Twilight hosted by FSU, while placing second in the 400m hurdles with a time of 53.31, second in the conference. In addition, he set a new conference top mark in the 400m dash, placing seventh with a time of 48.12.