Jan. 30, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - This weekend, the Kennesaw State men's track & field team travel to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill to participate in the Texas Roadhouse Classic. The Owls plan to turn in another outstanding performance as they participate in their first indoor heptathlon of the season.

The track team is riding high this week after a great performance at the University of Florida. KSU was able to break into the top ten in several events at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic including a first place finish in the high jump by sophomore Jerome McKinzie. For his stunning victory McKinzie was named Atlantic Sun Athlete of the week. This weekend he leads the black & gold to UNC in hopes of continuing his winning streak.

The meet will also see the debut of junior Casey Strickland in the decathlon. After being redshirted in his first season with the team, this multi event specialist is prepared to take to the field and make an immediate impact on the performance of the squad. The junior has been practicing for the heptathlon in recent weeks by entering into single events. Three weeks ago he set a KSU record in the shot put (52-05.5ft) and the following week he set a new school record in the long jump (21-01.5ft).

"Casey is just powerful," said head coach Don McGarey. "He has worked so hard since transferring here last season. It's amazing to think of someone his size being able to jump as high as he can or being able to run so fast. We have a real weapon on our hands."

In recent weeks KSU's program has truly come together as a team. They currently hold eight out of eighteen top performances in the A-Sun Conference. Freshman Shawn Johns holds the best time for the 60 meter dash (7.03 seconds), Gianni Catalano has the fastest time for the 800 meter dash and sophomore Peikko Solla has turned in the best time for the 5 kilometer race (15:25.36). With just a month remaining before the conference meet the Owls race into UNC with hopes of sharpening their skills before the A-Sun Indoor Championship.

The Texas Roadhouse Classic will begin on Friday at 11:00 a.m. and then continue all day on Saturday.