Date Posted: 3/21/2007

Macon, Ga. -- A three-time recipient of the award during the 2006 track and field season, ETSU's James Rainer has been tabbed week one's Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Week, league officials announced today, after a weekend in which he posted a NCAA Regional qualifying mark with his performance on the track.

Rainer, a red-shirt senior from Alcoa, Tenn., finished with the top time of 10.43 in the 52-man preliminary round of the 100-meter dash at the Charlotte 49ers Classic on Friday. Although he finished second in the finals (10.61), his mark in the prelims is a step in the right direction for Rainer, who is looking to make a return trip to the NCAA Championships.

The award is the fifth overall for Rainer in his career. He was previously honored as the A-Sun outdoor track and field AOTW three times during the 2006 season (March 29, April 5, April 26). Rainer was also honored with a similar award during the 2006 indoor track season (January 25).

The Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Week is announced every Wednesday during the 2007 track season.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

Other Top Performers:

• Jeremy Longshore, Gardner-Webb
[Jr. -- Pacolet, S.C. -- Sports Management]
Longshore won the pole vault with an outdoor personal best and a school-record height of 16 3/4 (4.90m) at the Charlotte 49ers Classic.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Men's Track and Field