MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (March 27, 2007) --- The Milligan College track and field program will host the Milligan Relays this Thursday for the first time since 1952. The Milligan Relays will be held at the Liberty Bell Track Complex in Johnson City. The event, which started in 1947, will host ten area colleges and universities, much like it did when the event took place in the late 1940's through to the early 1950’s.

"A gentlemen sent me results from 1948 which included teams like East Tennessee, Roanoke, Emory and Henry, and the University of Tennessee,” said Milligan head coach Chris Layne.

This year’s event includes teams from Brevard (N.C.) College, Bryan (Tenn.) College, Carson-Newman (Tenn.) College, East Tennessee State University, King (Tenn.) College, Lees-McRae (N.C.) College, Mars Hill (N.C.) College, Tusculum (Tenn.) College and Virginia Intermont College.

"I'm not sure this will turn into the Penn Relays, but we're excited to host the event on another one of the areas great tracks and see how it takes shape," said Layne.

Milligan's women will be led by an All-American contingent that includes MacKenzie LaBonte (Port Charlotte, Fla.) in the 3,000 meters, Jacklyn Talbert (Mt. Carmel, Tenn.) in the 1,500 meters and Kortney Goulds (Johnson City, Tenn.) in the 800 meters. Former Tennessee state champion Morgan Hyatt (Elizabethton, Tenn.) will compete for the Lady Buffs in the shot put and discus throw.

On the men's side, All-American Josh Ferry (Bloomington, Ind.) will compete in the 800 meter run, while former Science Hill standout Jair Collie (Johnson City, Tenn.) will compete in the 1,500 meters.

Events start at 3:30 p.m. and conclude with the 4 x 400 meter relays at 6:40 p.m.

For event results visit www.slipstreamtiming.com.