March 27, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's track & field team continue their outdoor season as they travel to Tuscaloosa Ala., this weekend to participate in the Alabama Relays. The three-day event will see the Owls compete against in a large field of opponents.

Leading the team in distance events will be freshman Mackenzie Howe. Howe kicked off her season at the Clemson Relays by winning her first 5k race. This weekend she will attempt to repeat that success as she races in her first career 10k race. She will be joined by sophomore Britany Reilly, who came home second at Clemson.

"This is going to be a very competitive race for the ladies," said head coach Don McGarey. "Neither Britany or Mackenzie has raced in a 10k before. This is a totally different experience then the 5k. It requires stamina much more than speed. Mackenzie is our fastest distance runner, but Britany is a strong competitor and this may be her event."

Also in distance events, Lorena Jaime and Katie Charles will race in the 3k steeplechase. Charles took third place in the event at Clemson. This weekend she will run in a much stronger field as she and Jaime try to cut seconds off of their time.

On the field, thrower Ana Ruiz will try to continue her record setting run. Last week, the freshman started off the outdoor season by setting three school records in the shot put, hammer throw and discus.

"Ana had a great first meet," said field coach Mike Goss. "She has come a long way in first season with the team. Her technique in all of her events continues to improve every week. She is quickly becoming our best field athlete."

At Alabama, the Owls' sprinters will be racing in numerous individual and relay events. The team of Shantela Davis, Jakia Ragland, Jill Arthur and Lakeshia Stinson will race in the 4x100m relay. Davis will later return to the track to run in the 200m and 400m dash, while Stinson will compete in her first 400m hurdles of the outdoor season.

"Shantela has had a solid week at practice," said sprint coach Devin West. "She came on strong at the Clemson Relays and I expect her to do the same at Alabama."

In the 800m dash, sophomore Soibhan Wolcott will represent the Owls against a large field of competitors. As the current Atlantic Sun 800m Outdoor Champion, Wolcott is eager to run in his first dash of the outdoor season. Over the course of three days, she will also compete in the 1500m run and the 4x400m relay.

The Alabama Relays will begin on Friday at 3:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time and continue all-day Saturday and Sunday.