KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State Owls men’s and women’s track and field and cross country programs will be adding one of their own to the coaching staff, announcing the addition of former Owls star Erin Sutton on Tuesday.

Sutton, who earned a total of 15 All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors between cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, will be staying with the program as an assistant coach for cross country and track. Her career highlights include a fourth place finish in the 2005 A-Sun Cross Country Championship, helping the Owls to the conference title, the first-ever for the athletic program at the NCAA Division I level.

Most recently, Sutton posted a pair of second place finishes in the 2010 A-Sun Outdoor Championships in the 5000 and 10,000 Meters, finishing runner-up to her then teammate and now pupil Mackenzie Howe. Sutton is excited to have the opportunity to work with some of the student-athletes she has practiced and competed with in the past.

“Even though all of my eligibility has run, I still wanted to find a way to help this program that I’ve been a part of for five years,” said Sutton, who earned her bachelor's degree in Biology at Kennesaw State and will be earning her Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Biology while she coaches for the Owls. “I’ve seen how great the coaching has been as a student-athlete, and now I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

The Dallas, Ga. native spent all five of her years under the tutelage of Stan Sims, the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country program who also oversees the distance events for indoor and outdoor track and field. In Sutton, Sims sees someone who knows the student-athlete experience, especially at Kennesaw State, and can help her former peers reach their next level of potential.

“Erin came to Kennesaw State straight out of high school as a very good runner, and with a lot of hard work and dedication over her years here became one of the most competitive runners I have ever coached,” said Sims, the reigning A-Sun Men’s Cross Country Coach of the Year. “She knows what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to fulfilling your potential as a runner at this level and in this day and age, and when you add that to her loyalty to this program, she is an excellent fit for this program.”

The men’s and women’s cross country teams begin their season on Sept. 3 at the Jacksonville State Invitational in Jacksonville, Ala.

Erin Sutton- Kennesaw State Owls Track and Cross Country- Accolades
All-Atlantic Sun Conference- Cross Country: 2005; 2006; 2007; 2009

All-Atlantic Sun Conference- Indoor Track:
2009- 3000 Meters; 5000 Meters
2006- 3000 Meters

All-Atlantic Sun Conference- Outdoor Track:
2010- 5000 Meters; 10,000 Meters
2009- 5000 Meters; 10,000 Meters
2007- 5000 Meters; 10,000 Meters
2006- 5000 Meters; 10,000 Meters

Atlantic Sun Conference Runner of the Week:
Indoor Track- 1/16/08
Cross Country- 9/19/07; 9/5/07

Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic Honoree: 2009-10, 2008-2009; 2007-2008; 2006-2007; 2005-2006