May 12, 2007
Photo Gallery
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Jerome McKinzie's first-place finish in the high jump highlighted the first day of competition for Kennesaw State at the 2007 Atlantic Sun Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Liberty Bell Park on Friday afternoon.
The Owls are in fifth place after five events in the championship with 20 points and trail leader Gardner-Webb (49 points) by 29 points as they head into the final day of competition.
"This was a solid performance by the men," said head coach Don McGarey. "Normally the first day of competition is our slowest day. Our best results come of day two and we look forward to a stronger performance on Saturday."
McKinzie, who had the year's best performance in the high jump, continued his success with a winning jump of 6.-08.75 2.05m, ahead of second-place finisher and rival Jake Didion of Gardner-Webb.
"I am happy with the win," said McKinzie. "I never really know before a competition how well I will perform. I was confident today and everything came together."
Devin Jones had a respectable showing and gave the Owls points with a fourth-place performance. Jones finished with a best jump of 6-.02.75 1.90m.
"We performed very well in the high jump," added McGarey. "Both of our guys had very good afternoons. Jerome was once again solid and proved again he is the best high jumper in the conference. I was also very pleased with Devin's performance. Those were unexpected points he gave for us that will help us going into Saturday."
In other field events, Aymerick Kolokilagi scored points for the Owls with a third place finish in the hammer throw. Kolokilagi, who was the second Kennesaw State athlete to earn all-conference honors, had a distance of 45.25m 148-05 to garner six points for Kennesaw State.
In the 10,000 Meter Run, Peikko Solla got off to a fast start but faded over the final 5000m to finish in 11th place while teammate Maxwell Ndungu finished in 13th place.
2007 Atlantic Sun Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships
At Liberty Bell Park, Johnson City, Tenn.
Team Scores
1. Gardner-Webb (49)
2. ETSU (31)
3. Belmont (29)
4. Campbell (22)
5. Kennesaw State (20)
6. Lipscomb (4)
Champions
Jerome McKinzie - High Jump
Kennesaw State All-Conference Performers
Jerome McKinzie - High Jump
Aymerick Kolokilagi - Hammer Throw
