April 14, 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Kennesaw State women's track & field team had a strong showing this weekend at the Seminole Track Invitational. Facing competitors from Florida A&M and Southern Mississippi, the Owls turned in several season high performances, including a first place finish by Mackenzie Howe in the 3k steeplechase.

Howe looked strong as she came off the line and jumped into the lead during the first lap of the race. She easily hurdled each steeple as she out paced her competitors. The freshman only lost ground when she fell twice after coming out of the water pit. Determined to win the race she picked herself up and fought back into first place. The final 100m of the race turned into a sprint as Rebecca Hallam of Georgia State and Rosanna Bell of FSU challenged for the win. Howe crossed the finish line one-hundredth of a second (11:18.36) ahead of Hallam to claim victory.

"Mackenzie is just a warrior," said assistant coach Stan Sims. "She never let up during this race. She fell, saw that people were gaining on her and she decided that she wasn't going to lose. That last 100m was all heart. I know she was hurting, but she still gave it her all."

Sprint specialist Shantela Davis also had an outstanding meet as she once again set a KSU record in the 400m dash. Davis took second place in the event as she posted a time of 55.57. The mark is an improvement of more than a second from her pervious best time. Davis later returned to take fourth place in the 200m dash with a time of 25.38.

"This is a great job by Shantela," said sprint coach Devin West. "She set a personal record by more than second. Last week, at the Florida Relays she ran 56.83 and now she totally smashed that time. She's an incredible sprinter and she's capable of doing more than she realizes."

In mid-distance events, the Owls were led by Soibhan Wolcott as she took eighth place in the 1500m run with a time of 4:50.15. Teammate Caitlin German followed in 16th place with a time of 5:09.31. The pair later returned to the track to race in the 800m dash. Wolcott once again finished in eighth (2:22.40) and German finished in 22nd place (2:30.36).

Racing in the 4x400m relay, Davis, Wolcott and German joined Lakeshia Stinson to earn fourth place (4:04.07). Stinson later raced in the 110m hurdles, where she finished in third place (15.28) and in the 400m hurdles, where she took fifth (1:08.62).

In jumping events, the Owls were led by freshman Jill Arthur, who placed fourth in the triple jump (37-10.50ft) and the long jump (17-11.75ft). Meanwhile, teammate Jakia Ragland earned sixth place in the high jump (5-01.00ft).

On the field, freshman Jessica Lumpkin earned fourth place in the hammer throw as she set a new personal record of 132-04.0ft. She later earned ninth place in the discus with a toss of 88-10.0ft. In the javelin throw, Meredith Steinmetz placed fourth (93-09.0ft) and Whitney Hammontree came in fifth place (89-04.0ft).

In distance events, Britany Reilly came in fourth place in the 5k (18:18.32), while Katie Charles finished in 14th place with a time of 21:04.96.

The Owls will be back in action next weekend as participate in the LSU Twilight Invitational.

Seminole Track Invitational
Individual Results

Hammer Throw
4. Jessica Lumpkin 132-04.0ft

4x100m Relay
3. KSU 49.31

100m Hurdles
3. Lakeshia Stinson 15.28

1500m
8. Soibhan Wolcott 4:50.15
16. Caitlin German 5:09.31

Discus
9. Jessica Lumpkin 88-10.0ft

High Jump
6. Jakia Ragland 5-1.00ft

400m Dash
2. Shantela Davis 55.57
15. Sandi Brown 1:03.16

Long Jump
4. Jill Arthur 17-11.75

Triple Jump
4. Jill Arthur 37-10.50

4x400m Relay
4. KSU 4:04.07

200m Dash
4. Shantela Davis 25.38

400m Dash
2. Shantela Davis 55.52

400m Hurdles
5. Lakeshia Stinson 1:08.62

800m Dash
8. Soibhan Wolcott 2:22.40
21. Caitlin German 2:30.36

3k Steeplechase
1. Mackenzie Howe 11:18.36

5k
4. Britany Reilly 18:18.32
14. Katie Charles 21:04.96