By: by Scott Lipsky
Full results
JACKSONVILLE, Ala.- Kennesaw State women’s track used four event wins and 18 podium finishes to earn a victory in their first scored event of the outdoor track and field season, finishing in first place at the Gem of the Hills Invitational at Jacksonville State University. Sprinters Victoria Jackson and Cynthia Davis took their act to the Sunshine State, competing in the Florida Relays at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
All four wins for the Owls occurred in field events. Freshman Michelle Quimby continued to establish her place in Owls history, winning the Pole Vault event with a top clearing height of 3.58 meters, breaking the school record of 3.50 meters that she set last week at the Beynon Sports Surfaces Catamount Classic.
Senior Jakia Ragland almost replaced her own program record in the high jump, clearing 1.70 meters to tie the program mark she set at last year’s A-Sun Outdoor Championships and win Saturday’s event. The height also sets a new meet record.
Sophomore Suzzette Van-Lare won the Triple Jump and Long Jump events with jumps of 11.89 meters and 5.71 meters, respectively.
Freshman Suzee Mills continued to show her versatility as a thrower on Saturday. The Hoschton, Ga., native, who spent her high school career competing in the shot put, discus and hammer throw events, since the state of Georgia does not sponsor javelin, competed in the Javelin for just the third time in her career, and her toss of 130'1' not only placed her second in the event, but also gave her the leading throw among all A-Sun competitors thus far this season. She would go on to finish fifth in the Discus (38.01 meters- 124'8") and sixth in the Hammer Throw (41.63 meters- 136'7").
The Owls finished the event with 172 points, and were comfortably able to edge out runner-up Georgia State, who finished with 136.50 points. Kennesaw State had 31 scoring performances on Saturday in the 18 team meet.
Jackson and Davis both competed in the 100 Meter Dash in Gainesville, finishing 48th and 53rd, respectively, with times of 12.21 and 12.33 seconds.
