By: by Scott Lipsky
Full Results I
A-Sun Championship Homepage
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Kennesaw State women’s track and field team finished up strong on Saturday at the Atlantic Sun Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, winning four more events and shattering another conference records en-route to a second place finish. Jacksonville pulled ahead of the Owls late in the day to secure their fifth consecutive title.
Sophomore Naomi Mack provided the highlight of the day for the Owls, setting a new conference record in the Heptathalon with 4400 points, which included a win the 800 Meters and runner-up performances in the Long Jump, Javelin and 100 Meter Hurdles. The conference title was the first of Mack’s career.
Following up her record-setting performance in the 10,000 Meters on Friday, junior Mackenzie led the way in the 5000 Meters late Saturday evening, winning the Owl-dominated event with a time of 16:49.92 to set a new outdoor school record. Right behind Howe during her second consecutive outdoor title in the 5000 Meters were teammates Erin Sutton and Britany Reilly, who finished second and third in the event with times of 17:27.08 and 17:32.29, respectively.
While Howe is no stranger to success at the conference meet, it was newcomer Suzee Mills who established herself as a force in the throws events in the A-Sun this weekend. The Hoschton, Ga. native took home her first career conference title with a Discus Throw of 45.85 meters. That performance was already following a fourth place finish in the Hammer Throw and sixth place effort in the Shot Put and was followed on Saturday by a fifth place throw in the Javelin, on her way to earning the A-Sun Women’s Field Performer honor.
Prominently representing the Owls in the jumps was junior Jill Arthur, who took home the Triple Jump title with a top leap of 12.60 meters. The conference win was the first of Arthur’s career, and was the highlight of a weekend that also included a runner-up performance in the Long Jump, with an effort of 5.70 meters.
Overall, the Owls had 17 top-three performances during the weekend, including six event wins and two conference records, helping them to a total of 221.50 points, short of just Jacksonville, who finished up with 247 points. The effort was especially important to the squad, as it will be the last time they will compete as a team for their head coach, Don McGarey, who is stepping down from his position at the end of the season. McGarey founded the program and has been its’ only head coach since they started competing in 2005.
The season will continue for several Owls, as those who qualify will compete in the NCAA East Regional in Greensboro, N.C., beginning on May 27. Final determination of those who have qualified will be determined this coming week.
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| Jill Arthur comments on her winning performance in the Triple Jump |
Jill Arthur's Triple Jump podium ceremony |
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| Suzee Mills and Chelsey Danesha comment on their performances in the throwing events this weekend |
Suzee Mills' Discus Throw podium ceremony |
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| Michelle Quimby discusses her performance this weekend in the Pole Vault and High Jump |
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