April 9, 2008

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's track & field team hit the road this weekend to compete in Tallahassee, Fla., at the Seminole Track Invitational. The one-day event at the Mike Long Track Complex will feature the Owls running in the 5k, 4x100m relay and the 3k steeplechase.

Distance specialists Mackenzie Howe and Britany Reilly will race in the 3k steeplechase for the first time at the Seminole. As the Owls strongest 5k runners, the pair will compete against tough runners from Florida A&M and the host Seminoles.

"Any distance runner will tell you that the steeplechase is the toughest event in track & field," said head coach Don McGarey. "Three kilometers of jumping and running is hard on any athlete. Mackenzie and Britany both wanted to run this race. There aren't many women in the conference who compete in the steeplechase. If they do well in Tallahassee, then we may have them run the race at the conference championship."

In sprinting events, junior Shantela Davis will lead the 4x100m relay team of Jill Arthur, Lakeshia Stinson and Jakia Ragland. The women will try to improve on their split times and transitions as they prepare for the outdoor conference meet. Davis later returns to the track as she races in the 200m dash, while Stinson will participate in the 100m and 400m hurdles.

"Lakeshia and Shantela are key performers on this team," said sprint coach Devin West. "Shantela had a great race last weekend at the Florida Relays. She smashed the old 400m record. This weekend I expect her to do the same thing in the 4x100m relay and the 200m dash."

On the field, throwers Ana Ruiz and Jessica Lumpkin will compete in the discus, hammer throw and shot put. Ruiz has had an outstanding season as she has set school records in all three of her events. Only the KSU javelin record (117-08.0ft) has eluded her. At the Invitational, she will compete in the event alongside freshman Whitney Hammontree.

The Seminole Track Invite will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday and continue all-day.