By: by Emily Diekelmann
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CLEMSON, S.C. – Setting personal records left and right, the Kennesaw State women’s track and field team showed they are a force to be reckoned with during the first day of the JRF Combined Events Invitational at Clemson Friday. Breaking a total of 10 records over the course of the day, the team is hitting their stride as they hit the halfway point of their season.
Featuring the pentathlon for the first time this season, junior Naomi Mack would rise from six place to start the five event set to a stellar showing in the 800 meters, propelling her to first place. During her first four events, Mack jumped a spot each time, sitting in third with only the 800 meters race to go. Showing strength and stamina, she would finish in a personal best time of 2:26.91, good enough to push her to the top of the heap.
“We had an awesome day today,” head track and field coach Andy Eggerth said. “Everyone is pretty excited the athletes and the coaching staff as well. We had 10 personal records broken today across all the events; the sprints, the jump, the throws and hurdles. Naomi Mack just killed the pentathlon and is definitely our field performer of the week. She managed to get a personal record in two events of the five which was really exciting to watch.”
Mack wasn’t the only one to find success for the Owls during the pentathlon. Teammate Vynnessa Smith achieved a new personal best in both the 60 hurdles and shot put. Three Owls would see personal records all in the same event. Tai Dorsett, Hannah Mule and Naquia Williams gained new personal records in the 60 hurdles. Victoria Jackson nailed a personal record for the 60 dash, finishing seventh with a time of 7.77 seconds.
Senior Mackenzie Howe, competing in her first meet of the season, blew the competition out of the water in the 5,000 meters. Her time of 17:15 not only broke her only personal record but beat the second place competitor by 38 seconds.
Competing on the field side, Chiquita Hawthorne added her own new record to the mix, throwing the shot put 12.57 meters. Her final throw would be the personal record breaking and would seal a second place finish.
