Wednesday, May 13, 2009

MACON, Ga. - Lady Buccaneer sprinter Judy Johnson made the most of her homecoming on Saturday afternoon at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville. Johnson claimed a regional qualifying mark in the 100-meter dash to earn her first career Athlete of the Week award, the conference announced Wednesday.

Johnson sprinted to a regional qualifying mark in the 100m during her final tune up before the Atlantic Sun Championships on the Tom Black Track by recording an ETSU record time of 11.68. The Knoxville, Tenn., native's time also leaped her past Belmont's Lynette Rives in the 100m, and Johnson - who has now set regional qualifying marks in both the 100 and 200m events this season - ranks number one in both events in the A-Sun.

ETSU heads to Jacksonville, Fla. this weekend to compete in the 2009 Atlantic Sun Outdoor Track & Field Championships hosted by UNF at Hodges Stadium. The Lady Bucs finished in fifth last year.

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
LaTerrica Blocker, USC Upstate (Thrower - Stone Mountain, Ga. - So. - Undeclared) -- Blocker set two school records and posted two top-10 finishes on Saturday at the Clemson Orange & Purple Classic, amongst some top-tier schools, including Wake Forest, UNC Charlotte and St. Joseph's. In the best outing of her career, Blocker finished fourth in the women's shot put with toss of 36-07.00 / 11.15m. She also finished seventh in the women's hammer throw with a toss of 120-02/36.56m, with both finishes signifying career highs for the sophomore.

Courtney Kinlaw, Campbell (Spints - Conway, S.C. - Fr. - Kinesiology) -- Freshman Courtney Kinlaw notched her sixth and seventh top-15 finishes of the 2009 outdoor season, including an 11th place mark in the women's 100 meters, recording a time of 12.21. The freshman also collected a personal best in the 200-meter dash with a 24.84, good for 14th on the day.