March 31, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Braving the harsh sun and then thunderstorms, the Kennesaw State women's track & field team put forth a solid performance at the Alabama Relays. The Owls raced in numerous relay events and set several records on the track and the infield. The strongest performance of the meet came from KSU's distance runners as Mackenzie Howe led the squad to by finishing in second place in the 10k.

Coming off her first place showing in the 5k at the Clemson Relays, Howe continued to lead the team as she completed her first ever 10k race with a time of 38:01.14. Teammate Britany Reilly followed in fourth place with a time of 39:53.67.

"A 10k race is hard for anybody," said distance coach Jason Waters. "Mackenzie and Britany did a great job for their first race. They worked well together for the first half of the race and then they were able find their own pace and finish very well."

On the field, KSU was led by freshman Jill Arthur in the triple jump. The Arthur was able to break into the finals by making a jump of 38-04.0, earning her sixth place. In the high jump teammate Jakia Ragland tied her personal best of 5-01.00 to finish in 13th place.

Thrower Ana Ruiz also had a successful meet as she competed in four separate events. Ruiz best performance came in the discus as threw for 115-10.0ft earning her 14th place. She also competed in the javelin for the first time throwing for 108-09.0ft.

In relay events, the team of Shantela Davis, Caitlin German, Lakeshia Stinson and Soibhan Wolcott took tenth place in the 4x400m. Their smooth transition allowed the team set a new school record of 3:58.71. Wolcott later returned to the track as she competed in the 800m dash.

The current Atlantic Sun Outdoor 800m champion completed the race with a time of 2:18.33 for sixth place. This was her first 800m race of the outdoor season and she is now on pace to break her record at conference (2:13). Wolcott also raced in the 1500m taking 18th place with a time of 5:01.42.

"Soibhan ran a good 800m dash," said head coach Don McGarey. "She is running far better than did last season and she stands a good chance of taking the championship at conference this year."

In short distance events, Davis ran a season high 25.84 in the 200m dash, despite feeling ill. Teammate Lakeshia Stinson had a good meet as she finished the 400m hurdles in 1:07.74 and the 100m hurdles with a personal best time of 15.04.

The Owls will be back in action next week as the travel to Gainesville, Fla. to participate in the Florida Relays.

Alabama Relays
Individual Results

10k
2. Mackenzie Howe 38:01.14
4. Britany Reilly 39:53.67

100m Hurdles
14. Lakeshia Stinson 15.04
28. Jill Arthur 16.16

Discus
14. Ana Ruiz 115-10.0ft

800m
6. Soibhan Wolcott 2:18.33
34. Caitlin German 2:28.66

3k Steeplechase
10. Katie Charles 13:18.46

200m
21. Shantela Davis 25.84

High Jump
13. Jakia Ragland 5-01.0ft
16. Jill Arthur 4-11.0ft

400m Hurdles
26. Lakeshia Stinson 1:07.74

1500m
18. Soibhan Wolcott 5:01.42

Hammer
18. Ana Ruiz 115-02.0ft
26. Jessica Lumpkin 104-0.0ft

Shot Put
21. Ana Ruiz 36-01.50ft
23. Jessica Lumpkin 35-11.50

Triple Jump
6. Jill Arthur 38-04.0ft

Javelin
14. Ana Ruiz 108-09.0ft
22. Whitney Hammontree 79-02.0ft

Pole Vault
13. Whitney Hammontree 9-0.25ft

4x400m
10. 3:58.71