Feb. 14, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - With one meet remaining before the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship, the Kennesaw State men's track & field team travel to Clemson this weekend to participate in the Tiger Invitational. This two day event will be the team's last chance to prepare its runners before they try to become the first KSU men's team to earn a conference title.

This weekend KSU will focus on shaving critical seconds off of its 4x400 meter relay time. Freshman Antonio Logan, Joshua James and James Verdi will be joined by 800 meter specialist Gianni Catalano in an attempt to drop their time under 3:20. The top time in the conference stands at 3:19 by East Tennessee State University. With the addition of Catalano to the line up the Owls will attempt drop all of their split times below the 51 second mark.

"Our Guys are ready for this," said sprint coach Devin West. "If we want to win conference we have to run with our best team. Gianni has become a real competitor this season and I think his addition to the 4x4 team will put us over the edge."

The track team began its season at Clemson in December. Over the course of that two day meet they broke six KSU records. Two of those records were set by sophomore Joshua McNair in the weight throw and shot put. This weekend McNair looks to repeat his success at Clemson. The sophomore is determined to use this last opportunity to push himself as he competes against strong non-conference throwers.

Also on the field, high jump specialist Jerome McKinzie will be facing a tough field of competitors. The sophomore owns the highest marks in the A-Sun and should not have a problem making a run at the championship in two weeks. In the meantime, he still has not surpassed the seven foot mark. At the Tiger Invitational McKinzie may have to post a height over 6-10.75ft to clench a victory. After a week of rest McKinzie is well prepared to make such a jump.

In distance events, the team will put forth its best lineup in the distance medley. Five Kilometer specialist Scott Burley will be moved to the 1600 meter leg in hopes of dropping the team's time below the current record of 10:19.49.

"This is the last chance we have to adjust things before conference," said head coach Don McGarey. "I am confident that the changes we are making will give us a better chance at winning the title."

The Tiger Invitational will begin on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and continue all-day on Saturday.