Date Posted: 4/4/2007

Macon, Ga. -- Jacksonville's Janita Ocana posted top conference marks in the long jump and 400-meter dash, qualified for the NCAA East Regional in the long jump, and has been named the Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Week, league officials announced today.

Ocana, a senior from Jacksonville, Fla., won both the long jump and the 400-meter dash at the FSU Relays on Saturday. Her best mark in the long jump, 20-3 (6.17m), also qualified her to compete at the NCAA East Regional.

Along with her wins in each event, her distance in the long jump and time in the 400-meter dash rank her first among fellow conference competitors.

The honor is the second of its kind for Ocana during the outdoor season. She was last honored on April 19, 2006, when she was tabbed the co-AOTW along with North Florida's Emily Kohler.

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:

• Kelly Bridges, Gardner-Webb
[So. -- Lilburn, Ga. -- Undecided]
Bridges won the pole vault, clearing 11-5 3/4.

• Anna Marie Ricciardi, ETSU
[Sr. -- Canfield, Ohio -- Public Relations/Marketing]
Ricciardi added another high jump title to her collection as she posted a NCAA Regional qualifying mark, clearing 5-8 3/4 (1.75m). The jump was Ricciardi's best of the season and earned her a win by three inches.

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