A-Sun Release
KENNESAW, Ga. – The Kennesaw State men’s track and field team continued its success during the 2013 season as sophomore
Andre Dorsey (Chalmette, LA / Chalmette HS), freshman
Bilal Abdullah Gwinnett, Ga. / Brookwood HS) and Head Coach
Andy Eggerth each earned Atlantic Sun Conference honors following the Owls’ first-place finish at the 2013 A-Sun Outdoor Track and Field Championship, the conference announced today (May 17).
Voted on by league coaches, the trio garnered three of the four accolades awarded, following the team’s title win at the championship meet, held in Jacksonville, Fla., on May 10-11, with the squad collecting 259 points, besting rival East Tennessee State by 57.
After scoring a meet-high 47 points in the eight events he competed in, Dorsey was unanimously selected as the 2013 Men’s Most Valuable Field Performer.
“Needless to say, Andre is blessed with talent and the will to win,” Head Coach Andy Eggerth said. “I am not sure, but I would guess that 47 points is a conference record for the most points every scored by an individual. That is a ridiculous feat for someone to accomplish.”
The Chalmette, La. native won titles in the javelin (54.80m 179-09) and triple jump (15.72m 51-07.00), while adding a silver medal in the high jump (2.06m 6-09.00) and a bronze in the 110m hurdles (14.75) and long jump (7.40m 24-03.500).
During his gold medal leap in the triple jump, he also set an A-Sun Conference Championship meet record en route to earning the meet’s Most Valuable Athlete award for the second consecutive year.
“Everybody enjoys the win, but Andre is willing to put in the time and earn it day in and day out,” Eggerth added. “So often, talent and work ethic do not go together and this is one of the most frustrating things as a coach. In Andre's case it is a pleasure to work with such a talented athlete with a great work ethic.”
Named the 2013 Men’s Most Outstanding Freshman, Abdullah tallied 27 points, the second-most of any athlete.
The Gwinett, Ga., native took gold in the 110m hurdles with a personal best time of 14.51, while adding a silver medal as a member of the 4x100m relay team (41.35), and a bronze in the high jump (2.01m 6-07.00).
Abdullah also added points with a fifth place finishes in the long jump (7.11m 23-04) and triple jump, (14.22m 46-08) and an eighth place finish in the 400m hurdles (58.01).
“I'm really proud of Bilal,” said Eggerth on the rookie’s recognition. “It can be a challenge for freshman that were successful in high school to transition to an entirely new way of doing things. Bilal started a little rough throughout the fall, but stayed the course and has developed very nicely as both a student and an athlete. I am really excited to see what his future has in store for him as he continues to flourish.”
Rounding out the accolades for the men’s team was Eggerth himself, who led the Owls to its fourth title in six years. The third year coach was a unanimous pick for the 2013 Men’s Track and Field Coach of the Year honor.
“It is very humbling to be named Coach of the Year,” Eggerth said. “I am a true believer that all blessings flow from God, so I need to give credit where it's due. I am extremely thankful for the support of our donors, administration, support staffs, coaching staff, and of course our athletes that go out there and take care of business. I am nothing without all of them.”
Up next, Dorsey, Abdullah, and other qualifying members of the men’s track and field team will travel to Greensboro, N.C. to compete at the NCAA Championship Preliminaries beginning May 23.
Keep up with Owls track and field teams by following KSU on Twitter at
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUTrackFieldXC or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on
Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
