By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Owls had seven weeks in between their season-opening meet at Appalachian State and their second meet, the Niswonger Invitational, which took place last weekend. There won’t be that long of a lay-off this time, as Don McGarey has his team back on the road, headed for Gainesville, Fla., where they will take part in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational.
Several teams from Florida will be present for the meet at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, on the campus of the University of Florida, but the Owls are going to be specifically competing in duals against North Florida, Jacksonville, and Florida Atlantic, the first two being Atlantic Sun counterparts.
“The competition with North Florida and Jacksonville will make for some great battles. How we do against those two schools specifically will indicate how we stack up against other teams in our conference,” said McGarey. “Our student-athletes are beginning to show greater intensity in practice and that is leading to better throws and jumps, and faster times.”
KSU has had great success in the past at the O’Connell Center, including the last time they competed there in 2008. Named the Tom Jones Memorial Classic that year, the Owls saw five athletes finish in the top-five in their respective events, including jumper Jerome McKinzine. The senior, then a sophomore, cleared 6’10.75” to take home the High Jump title that weekend.
Throws specialist Josh McNair, who is the reigning A-Sun Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, and middle-distance runner Gianni Catalano, both of whom will be active this weekend, also finished in the top-ten in the Weight Throw and 800 Meter Run in 2008, respectively.
