March 20, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - Fresh off its first Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Title, the Kennesaw State men's track & field team begin their outdoor season this weekend as they participate in the Clemson Relays. The two day event at the Rock Norman Track & Field Complex will allow the team to ease back into competition as they race in numerous relay events including the distance medley, the 4x800 meter and the 4x400 meter.

The focus of the meet will be on the Owls solid corps of sprinters consisting of freshmen Gianni Catalano, James Verdi, Joshua James and Antonio Logan. After the quartet earned silver medals in the 4x400-meter relay at the indoor championship the relay team will try to chase down the current KSU outdoor record of 3:18.50.

"The guys are focused," said sprint coach Devin West. "They've had a chance to rest in the past few weeks and they are now ready to race again. Each one of these guys had a great indoor season and this weekend they are going to kickoff an even better outdoor season."

Senior Devin Jones will also be looking for a successful meet when he competes in the 110-meter hurdles. Jones currently holds the school record in the event (14.63) and will be attempting to best that mark against the top hurdlers from Clemson.

Distance specialist Scott Burley will also be featured this weekend as he runs in the 1500-meter invite. After being crowned mile champion at conference, Burley will focus on mid-distance races as he gets in shape to run the steeplechase by the end of the season.

In field events the Owls welcome back veteran thrower Aymerick Kolokilagi. After redshirting the indoor season the junior returns to the team to throw alongside A-Sun Indoor Weight Throw and Shot Put champion Joshua McNair. The pair is ready to resume their friendly rivalry in the shot, javelin, discus and hammer.

"Aymerick is ready to throw," said field coach Mike Goss. "He has been training hard during his off season and he is in great shape. He has been watching Josh have a break out season and he can't wait to get out there and help the team"

Also in field events, A-Sun Indoor High Jump champion Jerome McKinzie begins his outdoor season as he tries to break the seven foot mark. The sophomore will also compete in the long and triple jump events.

"We have two months before we race at the outdoor conference championship," said head coach Don McGarey. "We are going to make every one of these meets count and we are going to continue to be successful."

The Clemson Relays will begin on Friday at 12:00 p.m. and continue all-day Saturday.