By: by Scott Lipsky
KENNESAW, Ga. - With just two weeks to go until the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, the Kennesaw State Owls women’s track and field team has one more tune-up on Friday to sharpen their skills when they compete at the Gene Anderson UNC Invitational in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday at the Eddie Smith Field House.
If the first three meets of the indoor season are any indication, expect further revisions to the program’s record book on Friday. Six marks fell in their last meet at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville, Fla., while a total of 13 performances this winter have been good enough to earn a place in the KSU indoor track record books. Of the records that currently stand, three of them are held by freshmen, making the potential for success this year and in years to come even more promising.
One of those freshmen, Michelle Quimby, was recognized by the A-Sun as the Women’s Field Athlete of the Week after her collegiate debut at the Appalachian State Invitational back in December when she broke the school’s indoor pole vault record. Quimby is excited for the chance to help the Owls win their first A-Sun Indoor title, after finishing as the runner-up in 2009.
“This is the time of the season where it’s really important for me to make sure I’m at the top of my game,” said Quimby, whose 3.52 meter leap at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational in Gainesville on January 31 leaves her tied with North Florida’s Christina King for the highest vault in the A-Sun this season heading into this weekend. “Every week I look at the list of the heights that have been cleared in the conference, and, especially heading into the championship, I want to make sure I’m at the top of that list.”
Head coach Don McGarey is interested to see how his athletes perform on Friday, noting that in many respects this should be treated as a dress rehearsal for the A-Sun Championship.
“We’re looking for pre-conference intensity, and for all the minor adjustments we’ll have to make between now and February 26,” said McGarey. “Some of our athletes are giving it a go for the first time this season, and for others, it’s their second or third time out, so we’re looking for consistency, and possibly some big performances.”
One of the Owls making her season debut this weekend is junior Mackenzie Howe. The distance runner, who is the reigning A-Sun 3000 Meter Champion, who had a great fall with the cross country team, winning six races and being named to the NCAA All-South Region team, will compete in the 3000 Meter Run on Friday.
As an added bonus, the Owls will get to size up some of their conference rivals, as Campbell and USC-Upstate will also be competing at Chapel Hill this weekend.
The meet will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday with several field events and conclude with the 4x400 Hundred Meter Relays, which is scheduled to begin at 8:45 p.m.
Click Here for Meet Notes
Click Here for the Meet Schedule
Click Here for the Running Performance List
Click here for the Field Performance List
