Oct. 11, 2007

KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women's cross country team will be back in action this Saturday as they travel to the Jacksonville State University Foothills Invitational, held at the Jacksonville Industrial Park. In their second to last race of the season, KSU will be led by two time Atlantic Sun Conference Runner of the Week Mackenzie Howe.

The Owls (88-17) are coming off an amazing race at the Disney World Cross Country Classic. Howe (18:06.45) led the team to a seventh place finish as the women raced over a muddy 5k course. Junior Erin Sutton quickly followed as she returned to the squad after nursing a sore leg the pervious week. Freshman Kristen Gibson was the third highest placing runner for KSU. Gibson has consistently contributed to the team throughout the season, as she has finished just seconds behind Sutton and Howe in number of races.

Now the women look to improve their record as they race at Jacksonville State for the second time this season. At the JSU Opener in September, the Owls dominated the field as Sutton and Howe took the top two spots in the race. Now the team makes its return to the three mile course at the Jacksonville Industrial Park with a group of experienced runners.

"I'm really happy with our two freshmen," said head coach Stan Sims. "Mackenzie and Kristen have become two of our best racers this season. Both of them are going to have a great career here at KSU. With those two and Erin running at top performance I know that we are going to have a great weekend."

The women's 3 mile race will begin at 9:45 a.m.