Feb. 26, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State men's track & field team will conclude their indoor season this weekend at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship hosted by Eastern Tennessee State University. After participating in six highly competitive meets, the team stands a good chance of becoming the first Kennesaw State men's athletic program to earn a Division I conference title.

Head coach Dr. Don McGarey and his coaching staff has put together a strong team that in the short indoor season has broken almost every KSU track record. The team, consisting of 12 freshmen and only one senior, has rallied behind their coaches and are well prepared for a shot at the A-Sun Title. In only its third season the track team has become one of the most dominant and focused squads in the A-Sun. This weekend they travel to Johnson City Tenn. with high hopes of becoming champions.

Leading the way is the all freshmen 4x400 meter relay team of Antonio Logan, Joshua James, Gianni Catalano and James Verdi. These highly skilled runners set a KSU record of 3:22.73 at the Tiger Invitational two weeks ago. This weekend they race for gold as they finally have a chance to face their conference rivals head to head.

In addition to the relay the freshmen hope to score key points in individual events. Logan will run in the 60 meter dash as he tries to break his personal record of 7.06 seconds, while James will race in the 200 meter dash. Catalano stands a chance of becoming the 800 dash champion as he currently holds the fastest time in the A-Sun (1:56.89). Verdi will sprint in the 400 meter dash as he tries to take home the championship against Campbell University's Harold Sims.

"The guys are ready for this meet," said sprint coach Devin West. "They have been preparing for Conference since August. Every single practice and meet has been preparation for this weekend. The guys work extremely well as a team and do a great job in their individual events. I think that they are going to surprise the entire conference."

West will also be coaching senior Devin Jones in his final 60 meter hurdles race. In recent weeks Jones has turned in some of his best times in the event, including an 8.31 second race at the Tiger Invitational. Jones a former A-Sun outdoor hurdles champion and his teammate sophomore Jeremy Easley will try to score against a talented field of conference athletes.

In mid-distance events the Owls will be led by Scott Burley who will make his debut in the mile after running a 4:18 1600 meter leg in the distance medley at Clemson two weeks ago. Burley will then try to further the Owl's success as he competes in the three kilometer race. Teammates Peikko Solla and Michael Johnson will run in the five kilometer race. These two distance specialist will be facing some of the hardest competitors of the two day meet. Solla and Johnson are well prepared as they have turned in great indoor seasons, including Johnson setting personal records in the 5k and 3k.

"Our distance guys have a lot of heart," said coach McGarey. "They are ready to take these races to the limit. I expect great things out of Peikko and Scott, but I think Michael is ready to put everything his got into this race."

On the field high jumper Jerome McKinzie will defend his championship crown. In his freshman season McKinzie was named the indoor and outdoor champion. The sophomore has no plans to give up his title this weekend and is dead set on breaking his personal record of 6-10.75ft.

In throwing events sophomore Joshua McNair will be in the fight of his life as he tries to score in both the shot put and the weight throw. One of the smallest throwers in the conference, McNair took home second place in the shot put in the 2007 Outdoor season. Come Friday, McNair could help bring home a team championship if he breaks into the top three in both events.

"This has really been Josh's season," said field coach Mike Goss. "He has set personal records in all of his events and he really is a strong contender for the championship. Last season he made the all-conference team and I expect him to do the same this weekend."

Versatile athlete Casey Strickland will also be competing in the shot put in addition to his responsibilities in the heptathlon. In an attempt to add on points Strickland will compete in a total of nine events during the two day championship. The junior is capable of scoring in all of his events and stands the chance of taking the championship in the shot put and the heptathlon.

The A-Sun Indoor Conference Championship will begin 8:45 a.m. on Friday and will continue all-day on Saturday.