May 14, 2009
KENNESAW, Ga. - After taking second in a valiant effort at the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships during the Indoor season, the Owls will head to Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend to try and defend their Outdoor Championship on May 15-16.
The Owls will be led by the reigning Indoor and Outdoor conference champion in the 800m Gianni Catalano. After winning the event at both the Indoor and Outdoor championships last season, Catalano came back strong in 2009 as well.
The Sophomore mid-distance runner led the team all season, winning two Atlantic Sun Track and Field Athlete of the Week award during the Indoor season, and one in the Outdoor as well. In addition, Catalano continued his consecutive streak of first place finishes in the 800m at conference, winning the event during the 2009 Indoor season.
"We are very confident heading into this weekend," Catalano said. "The entire team has been performing well. This is what we have been working towards all season. ETSU has a great team and we realize it is going to be a struggle, but if we just go out there and perform to our expectations, we definitely have a shot at taking home another conference title."
Joining Catalano to help lead the Owls will be sprinters Joshua James and James Verdi. Verdi, who owns several Kennesaw State track records will try to defend his title in the 400m at the Outdoor Championships.
Meanwhile, James, who has looked strong all season, particularly in hurdling events, will look to lead the Owls in the 400m hurdles this weekend. James has consistently improved his times in the event this year, in addition to claiming an Owls' record, which he set last weekend at Clemson when he finished the race with a time of 52.96.
James will be joined in hurdling events, by freshman Kendall Parks. After impressing the Owls at the Indoor Conference Championships by racking up the most points on the team, Parks was awarded Freshman of the Year by the conference. During the Outdoor season, Parks did not let up, setting an NCAA Regional Qualifying Mark last weekend at Clemson in the 110m hurdles, running the race with a time of 14.11.
In distance events, the Owls will look towards senior Scott Burley who won the 3000m steeplechase at conference last season.
On the downside, the Owls will be without last year's conference champion in the discus, Joshua McNair, and the conference high jump champion, Jerome McKinzie, both of whom are red-shirting this season.
Despite their absences, the Owls are confident heading into this weekends championship events.
"It will be a battle again," Head Coach Don McGarey said. "Our practice sessions on the track have been going extremely well, We are as prepared as we can be. The team is focused mentally and is at their peak physical form.
"It is the Championship. Everything is on the line and they know that."