By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Owls had seven weeks in between their season-opening meet at Appalachian State and their second meet, the Niswonger Invitational, which took place last weekend. There won’t be that long of a lay-off this time, as Don McGarey has his team back on the road, headed straight for Gainesville, Fla., where they will take part in the Jimmy Carnes Invitational.
Several teams from Florida will be present for the meet at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, on the campus of the University of Florida, but the Owls are going to be specifically competing in duals against North Florida, Jacksonville, and Florida Atlantic, the first two being Atlantic Sun counterparts.
“The competition with North Florida and Jacksonville will make for some great battles. How we do against those two schools specifically will indicate how we stack up against other teams in our conference,” said McGarey. “Our student-athletes are beginning to show greater intensity in practice and that is leading to better throws and jumps, and faster times.”
Especially encouraging for the Owls has been the success of some of their freshmen early in the indoor season. Jumps specialist Michelle Quimby set a school record in the pole vault during her first collegiate meet, clearing 11’5.75” at the Appalachian State Invitational. Sprinter Cynthia Davis and hurdles Naquia Williams also set school marks in their first collegiate outings, with Davis setting a new standard in the 55 Meter Dash with a time of 7.19 seconds and Williams running an 8.54 second 55 Meter Hurdles race to set a KSU record in that event. Mcgarey is hopeful that these immediate contributions by his newcomers are more than just an aberration.
“This will be the first meet for some of our freshmen who have been making the adjustment to compete for a Division I program,” commented McGarey. “They have been working hard to earn a spot on the travel squad and deserve the chance to prove they can compete at this level. Hopefully they will join the ranks of some of their freshmen teammates who are already busy rewriting the record books.”
