March 2, 2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - The Kennesaw State men's indoor track team made history this weekend as they became the first KSU men's program to earn a Division I Conference Title. The Owls put together an outstanding performance at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship as they had five individual champions and seven all-conference selections.

The team of 12 freshmen and one senior shocked the A-Sun as they scored in almost every event. At the completion of the two day meet KSU brought home the championship with a total of 128 points, while host team Eastern Tennessee State University finished in second place with 112 points and Gardner-Webb finished in third place with 95 points.

"This is a great achievement for the program," said head coach Don McGarey. "This is a team of fresh young talent that proved themselves today. Every one of our men deserves this championship. This is the hardest working group of individuals in the conference."

The Owls crowned numerous champions including distance specialist Scott Burley for the mile. Running in the slower section of the race, Burley dominated his competition in the mile as he took first place with an outstanding time of 4:18.72.

The middle distance group also earned gold in the 800 meter dash as freshman Gianni Catalano finished the race with a time of 1:55.19 to set a new conference record. Michael Guntner tacked on additional points as he took fifth place (1:57.41) and Matthew Auers came in sixth place (1:57.61).

On the field Joshua McNair became a duel champion as he took first place in the shot put and weight throw. McNair scored points for the team as he tossed the 35 pound weight 56-9.50ft. Freshman Eric Gill added an unexpected two points as he finished in fifth place with a distance of 50-03.25ft.

Also on the field sophomore Jerome McKinzie successfully defended his high jump crown. The sophomore posted a height of 6-08.25ft to easily separate himself from the field and earn KSU 10 points.

"Josh and Jerome had a fantastic meet," said field coach Mike Goss. "The two of them have had great seasons. They are true leaders on the team and I am extremely proud of them."

KSU also earned numerous silver and bronze medals including a second place finish in the 4x400 meter relay. The all freshamn team of Catalano, Joshua James, Antonio Logan and James Verdi ran a season best time of 3:18.49. The Owls narrowly lost the race as ETSU's anchor crossed the finishline just seven-tenths ahead Verdi.

"I couldn't be more proud of the guys," said print coach Devin West. "There are very few all freshman teams in the country that could run 3:18. They may have taken second place today, but they have three years to keep on dropping their time."

In the 200 meter dash Logan scored points as he finished in second place with a time of 22.27. His teammate Joshua James also earned a silver medal as he set a new conference record in the 400 meter dash with a time of 49.82. In the 60 meter hurdles senior Devin Jones took home fourth place with a time of 8.30 seconds.

Rounding out KSU's medal winners was Casey Strickland who placed third in the heptathlon. After participating in the two day multi-event the junior completed the contest with 4275 points, while Jason Fisher scored 3853 for a sixth place finish.

"We had a fantastic weekend," added McGarey. "I want to take this opportunity to dedicate this victory to all our former athletes and coaches. Especially we as a team would like to honor the family of Tommy Burnett our former hurdler who lost his life in 2006. The KSU track team is a family and we love all of our members past and present."

The indoor track season is over, but the Owls will return to action in the outdoor season as they attempt to win back to back A-Sun titles.

A-Sun Indoor Championship
Team Results
1. KSU 128
2. ETSU 112
3. Gardner-Webb 97
4. Campbell 93
5. Belmont 76
6. USC Upstate 16
7. Lipscomb 3
8. North Florida 2

First Team All Conference
Joshua McNair - Shot Put & Weight Throw
Jerome McKinzie - High Jump
Scott Burley - Mile
Gianni Catalano - 800m Dash

Second Team All Conference
Joshua James - 400m Dash
Antonio Logan - 200m Dash

Third Team All Conference
Casey Strickland - Heptathlon

Individual Results

Weight Throw
1. Joshua McNair 56-09.50ft
5. Eric Gill 50-03.25

Triple Jump
7. Jerome McKinzie 44-03.75

Heptathlon
3. Casey Strickland 4275 points
6. Jason Fisher 3853 points

Mile
1. Scott Burley 4;18.72
5. Nathan Haskins 4;22.25
9. Piotr Witczak 4:26.81
10. Matteo DiCecco 4:28.67

60m Hurdles
4. Devin Jones 8.30

400m Dash
2. Joshua James 49.82
4. James Verdi 50.05

60m Dash
5. Antonio Logan 7.06

800m Dash
1. Gianni Catalano 1:55.19
5. Michael Guntner 1:57.41
6. Matthew Auers 1:57.61

High Jump
1. Jerome McKinzie 6-08.25ft
5. Casey Strickland 6-02.25ft
9. Devin Jones 6-00.50ft
10. Jason Fisher 5-10.50ft

200m Dash
2. Antonio Logan 22.27
4. Joshua James 22.43

5k
8. Michael Johnson 15:16.11
13. Peikko Solla 15:42.26
14. Steven Murray 15:47.20
19. Nathan Haskins 16:30.92
21. Scott Burley 16:23.44

4x400m relay
2. KSU 3:18.49