Feb. 26, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's track & field team will conclude their indoor season this weekend as they travel to Johnson City, Tenn. to participate in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. Under the leadership of head coach Dr. Don McGarey the women have come together to form one of the best teams in the A-Sun. This weekend they will try to wrestle the championship away from conference rivals including last year's winners Jacksonville University.

Leading the charge at conference will be the Owls distance runners. Freshman Mackenzie Howe owns the fastest time in the conference for the five kilometer run with 17:53.35. She also holds the second fastest time in the three kilometer race (10:13.73). Howe and veteran Erin Sutton will be expected to score key points in both races. Sophomore Britany Reilly also has a chance to earn points in the both races as she currently has the fifth fastest time for the 3k and the fourth fastest for the 5k.

"These are going to be great races," said distance coach Jason Waters. "Mackenzie has made some incredible improvements over the season and she has a real chance to take first place in both. At the same time Erin is not far behind her and she has ran faster in past seasons. She could really pull off something special at conference."

The mid distance group are also expected to score major points for the team. Caitlin German, Soibhan Wolcott, Kristen Gibson and Shantela Davis currently hold the fastest time in the conference for the distance medley (12:33.13) and they stand a chance of taking first place in the event at conference.

In addition to running the medley these runners will be competing in numerous events. Both German and Gibson will be running in the mile. Gibson currently holds the holds the fourth fastest time in the conference (5:18) and is prepared to smash her personal best in order to break into the top three. Also in mid-distance events Wolcott will be racing in the 800 dash. She is currently the A-Sun Outdoor Champion for the event and she is eager to add an indoor medal to her collection.

Davis will lead the Owls in short distance races as she competes in the 60 meter dash, 200 meter dash and then later she participate in the long jump. Her teammate Lakeshia Stinson will be racing in the 60 meter hurdles. Stinson has consistently dropped her time in the race from meet to meet. Two weeks ago at the Tiger Invitational she turned in a time of 9.22 to earn her fifth place in the conference.

"It's been a solid season for Shantela and Lakeshia," said sprint coach Devin West. "I have faith that they will be running at their best at conference."

On the field the freshman team of Ana Ruiz and Jessica Lumpkin will be competing in the shot put and the weight throw. In the past few meets Ruiz has established herself as the shot put expert as she has eclipsed Lumpkin in the event. Lumpkin has balanced the partnership out as she has become the best woman weight thrower that KSU has ever seen. Both women stand good chances of scoring key points at conference.

Also on the field freshman Jill Arthur will compete in the triple jump. Arthur has put together a great premiere season and she now intends to cap it off by earning conference honors at ETSU.

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