Jan. 30, 2008

MACON, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Conference named Kennesaw State high jump specialist Jerome McKinzie the Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week in a release by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

The award marks the first time that the outstanding sophomore has been honored with a weekly track award. McKinzie is the reigning indoor and outdoor A-Sun High Jump Champion.

McKinzie took first place in the high jump at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic on Saturday. The sophomore tied his personal best and set a NCAA qualifying mark as he posted a height of 6-10.75ft. McKinzie, who remained error fear through out the contest, took first place as he and Andrew Bachelor of Florida State University failed to clear 7-01.25ft.

"I'm very proud of Jerome," said head coach Don McGarey. "He is one of the best athletes that I've ever had the pleasure to coach. He is a person with an amazing amount of raw talent. It was one of the best moments in KSU track history to see him face such tough competition and to come away victorious."

McKinzie's career is loaded with top performances. In his two seasons with the Owls, he has won multiple high jump competitions while facing some the best jumpers in the country. He currently holds the top mark for the high jump in the A-sun this season.

This weekend Jerome will lead the Owls in field events at the Texas Roadhouse Classic at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.