Feb. 17, 2008

CLEMSON, S.C. - In their final meet before Atlantic Sun Indoor Conference Championship, the Kennesaw State women's track & field team had a strong showing at the Tiger Invitational. Once again the distance group led the way as Mackenzie Howe and Erin Sutton had great races in the seeded and unseeded three kilometer races.

Howe's outstanding run at the Tom Jones Memorial Classic several weeks ago earned her a place in the women's seeded 3k run at Clemson. As she took to the starting line the freshman was shoulder to shoulder with the best distance runners she had ever faced. Howe remained calm as she listened to her coaches on the sideline and turned in their exact planned split times. After 15 laps she crossed the finish line in tenth place with a time of 10:13.73, setting a new personal record by four seconds.

Sutton quickly responded in the unseeded 3k as she passed two competitors in the final lap to claim first place (10:25.57). In other heats sophomore Britany Reilly came in 11th place (10:38.32), Katie Charles set a personal record by more than twenty seconds (11:37.46) and Lorena Jaime finished with a time of 11:41.05.

"Mackenzie is really turning up the heat," said assistant head coach Stan Sims. "She keeps getting better every week that she races. I think that her performance really pushes the ladies to do their best and that's why we keep seeing them set personal records."

In the distance medley the team of Caitlin German, Shantela Davis, Kristen Gibson and Soibhan Wolcott set a new KSU record as they finished in sixth place with a time of 12:33.13. The team's ability to make quick exchanges helped them to smash the previous record by ten seconds.

As a mid distance specialist Wolcott continued to have an outstanding meet as she set a new KSU record in the 800 meter dash (2:22.36) and led the 4x400m relay team to a new school record of 4:06.90.

In the mile Gibson posted a personal best time of 5:18.70 to earn her a 14th place finish. German also set a personal record as she finished with a time of 5:23.81 for 21st place.

In short distance events, sophomore Lakeshia Stinson led the way as she set a new KSU record in the 60 meter hurdles. Stinson's 9.22 run was just her latest in a season long string of "PR" races. The sophomore also turned in a time of 8.16 for the 60 meter dash.

"Lakeshia keeps improving every week," said sprint coach Devin West. "She works hard in practice and it shows. These meets are about improving and she does that week in and out."

In field events, Jessica Lumpkin threw the weight 43-10.5 for 15th place. Teammate Ana Ruiz responded by tossing the shot 35-04.0ft for 21st place. Also on the field freshman Jill Arthur posted a triple of jump of 37-3.50ft.

The Owls will be back in action in two weeks as the travel to Johnson City, Tenn. to compete in the A-Sun Indoor Conference Championship.

Women's Results
Tiger Invitational

Distance Medley
6. Kennesaw State 12:33.13

60m Hurdles
21. Lakeshia Stinson 9.22
36. Jill Arthur 9.58

60m Dash
41. Lakeshia Stinson 8.16

Mile
14. Kristen Gibson 5:18.70
21. Caitlin German 5:23.81

Shot Put
21. Ana Ruiz 35-04.0ft
25. Jessica Lumpkin 34-08.0ft

Mile
14. Kristen Gibson 5:18.70
21. Caitlin German 5:23.81

Triple jump
16. Jill Arthur 37-03.5ft
28. Shantela Davis 35-01.0ft

Weight Throw
15. Jessica Lumpkin 43-10.25ft
22. Ana Ruiz 40-11.0ft

200m Dash
23. Shantela Davis 26.06
64. Sandi Brown 29.20

3k seeded
10. Mackenzie Howe 10:13.73

800m Dash
17. Soibhan Wolcott 2:22.36

4x400m Relay
19. Kennesaw State "A" Team 4:06.90

3k Unseeded
1. Erin Sutton 10:25.57
11. Britany Reilly 10:38.32
40. Katie Charles 11:37.46
41. Lorena Jaime 11:41.05