By: KSU Sports Information
Live Stats
KENNESAW, Ga. – The race to the finish for the 2012 indoor season is on its mark, as the Kennesaw State track and field team travels to Johnson City, Tenn., to participate in the 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Championship.
Led by the supervision of head coach Andy Eggerth, the men’s and women’s teams have the goal of bringing home championships and further solidifying themselves as a track and field power at the Division I level. With the new implementation and utilization of the state-of-the-art track facility, Eggerth believes the squad is more prepared now, than ever before.
“I anticipate a close finish for both squads,” Eggerth said. “ The teams are looking sharper and more explosive in practice and I expect more records to be broken as this is the highlight of the indoor season. I am very confident that we will perform well and I am excited about the opportunity we have to win.”
Having been runner-up last year, the men are looking reclaim their title over host school ETSU, who edged out the Owls last season by a short margin of 15 points. The Owls will have eight returning All-Conference athletes, along with a lineup of freshman who are expected to fare very well.
Of those freshmen, standout sprinter Reggie Lewis has already claimed three school records (60 meter – 6.77, 200 meter – 22.48, long jump – 7.11 meters) during his brief tenure with the squad thus far. Lewis’ performances have earned him a first-place ranking amongst the A-Sun Conference in the 60 meter and second in the 200 meter.
The men will also be defending their title for the 4x400, as two of the four legs (Jemir Martinez, David Tansey) return to give the team veteran leadership. Senior Kendal Parks is also seeking out the gold after his close second place finish in the 60-meter hurdles last indoor season. This year Parks is ranked first in the event, with teammate Brian Graham following close behind in second.
On the women’s side, the Lady Owls will look to chase down six-time defending champions Jacksonville and capture their first-ever A-Sun indoor title after finishing third for the 2011 season. The women have three of their four All-Conference athletes returning and a multitude of underclassmen who
In the weight throw, the ladies are stacking up the competition with juniors Suzee Mills ranked first, Shannon Hooper in third, and Gwennetta Jones following close behind in fourth. In field events, Michelle Quimby is hoping for a first place finish after her 11’7.75” performance last meet at the Vulcan Invitational which moved her to a second place ranking in the A-Sun.
On the track, freshman Alicia Whittle holds down the first place slot in the 60-meter, while teammates Cynthia Davis and Kentrell White are both ranked sixth, respectively. In the 200 meter, the Lady Owls will look to rack up the points, with positions three through seven held by the black and gold.
Action at the two-day event begins on Friday with the Men and Women’s pentathlon beginning at 8:30 a.m. as the teams will compete at the MSHA Athletics Center. For updates about the Championship, you can follow the team on Twitter @KSUTrackFieldXC.
