By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - With just two weeks to go until the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, the Kennesaw State Owls men’s track and field team has one more tune-up on Friday to sharpen their skills when they compete at the Gene Anderson UNC Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday at the Eddie Smith Field House.
If the first three meets of the indoor season are any indication, expect further revisions to the program’s record book on Friday. Seven marks fell in their last meet at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., while a total of 13 performances this winter have been good enough to earn a place in the KSU indoor track record books. Of the records that currently stand, five of them are held by freshmen, making the potential for success this year and in years to come even more promising.
The Owls are entering an exciting time of the season, as they not only have a chance to win their second indoor title in three years and avenge a 2009 runner-up finish in two weeks, but they may also have a chance to see one of their athletes be recognized on the national stage.
Senior jumper Jerome McKinzie will be going for a 2.24 meter leap in the high jump that would make him an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships, which takes place in March at the University of Arkansas. The Marietta, Ga. native cleared 2.20 meters in Gainesville and earned a provisional qualifying mark that is currently the seventh highest jump in the nation this season.
Head coach Don McGarey is interested to see how his athletes perform on Friday, noting that in many respects this should be treated as a dress rehearsal for the A-Sun Championship.
“We’re looking for pre-conference intensity, and for all the minor adjustments we’ll have to make between now and February 26,” said McGarey, the 2008 A-Sun Indoor Track Coach of the Year. “Some of our athletes are giving it a go for the first time this season, and for others, it’s their second or third time out, so we’re looking for consistency, and possibly some big performances.”
As an added bonus, the Owls will get to size up some of their conference rivals, as Campbell and USC-Upstate will also be competing at Chapel Hill this weekend.
The meet will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday with several field events and conclude with the 4x400 Hundred Meter Relays, which is scheduled to begin at 9:00 p.m.
Click Here for Meet Notes
Click Here for the Meet Schedule
Click Here for the Running Performance List
Click here for the Field Performance List
