Lease, Zimon shine for Lady Buffs

from staff reports

   JOHNSON CITY--On a windy, but unseasonably warm day, Milligan College freshmen Megan Lease and Marta Zimon earned victories at the Milligan Winter Invite held at Johnson City's Liberty Bell Track Complex.
   The first-time event hosted five distance events for men and women.
   Lease, who was paced by former ETSU All-American Catherine Berry, won the 5000 meters with an outdoor personal best time of 18:42.7, while Zimon took the mile in an easy 5:23.0. Mars Hill senior Stacy Mark finished second in both events.
   Both Lady Buffs are in final preparation for the NAIA Indoor Nationals Championships held at ETSU's mini-dome on March 6th-8th.
   Milligan freshman Chris Wright battled back from early season tendonitis to win the men's mile in 4:25.0 over teammate Trevor Donovan.
   Senior Ryan Starr finished second in the 5000 meters in a new personal best time of 15:47.9. Mars Hill's Craig Eckstein took the victory.
   Forme Buff Philip Rotich, the first-ever three-time All-American at Milligan, won the men's 800 meters.
   Starr, along with senior Terence Gadsden (Charleston, SC) join Lease and Zimon at the national meet.