By: by Emily Diekelmann
JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Kennesaw State women’s track and field team is ready for a showdown in Jacksonville when they take on the Atlantic Sun Conference at the A-Sun Outdoor Conference Championships, Friday and Saturday. After finishing third in the A-Sun Indoor Championships, the team looks for their first A-Sun Outdoor title after finishing in the runner-up spot last season.
The meet is held on the campus of the University of North Florida in the state of the art Hodges Stadium. The 9,300 facility is home to the soccer and track and field teams. It recently was given Class II accreditation by the International Association of Athletics Federations so it can host IAAF events. Although it may give UNF “home field” advantage, head track and field coach Andy Eggerth is very confident in what his team can do.
“It’s been a challenging outdoor season, but many athletes have already set personal records in competition this season and virtually all set testing records in training,” Eggerth said. “The women’s side of the conference has really improved even in just the last year. North Florida has stepped up their game and Jacksonville continues to do a great job. I believe our women can do well if they really pull together and have some great performances. The field testing in training indicates that they are ready, and I know we’ll show up to compete, so I anticipate excellence.”
Having already cemented her status as one of Kennesaw State’s top female distance runners, Mackenzie Howe heads into her final conference meet as an Owl to defend her first place finishes from last season in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, respectively. Earlier this season, Howe traveled to California for the Stanford Invitational where she set the new 10,000 meter school record despite fighting a bout of food poisoning.
After finishing in first during last year’s outdoor championship, Naomi Mack looks to once again gain the top spot and another All-Conference award. During the Alabama Relays, Mack added herself to the Kennesaw State record books with 4,458 points in the heptathlon to beat the old record.
Starting her career as an Owl strong, Suzee Mills has shaken off any chance at a sophomore slump by getting a indoor All-Conference award in the weight throw and this weekend can break her school record in the discus throw. At the Georgia Intercollegiate Invitational, Mills set a new personal best with a 43.00 meter throw which broke her previous record by 11 feet and first place in the A-Sun.
Getting things underway Friday morning, the ladies begin with the heptathlon and finish the weekend with the 4x400 relay Saturday evening.
