May 16, 2009
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - One day into the competition at the Atlantic Sun Track and Field Conference Championships, and both the Owls' men's and women's teams still have a possible title within reach.
The Owls' women's squad is actually leading the competition after the first day. Led by Mackenzie Howe's first place finish in the 10,000m run (36:44.06) the Owls lead Jacksonville 61-36.
Howe's teammate Erin Sutton, added to the team's point total as well with a third place finish in the event (37:40.92), while the Owls also added big points in the jumping and throwing events.
Jill Arthur (5.63m) and Suzzette Van-Lare (5.65m) took second and third in the long jump, while Rosemary McCollum added a second place finish in the pole vault (3.40m).
Meanwhile, Jessica Irizarry led the Owls' throwers with a first place finish in the hammer throw (49.58m). Chiquita Hawthorne also added points to the Owls' score with a third place finish in the shot put (12.47).
On the men's side, the defending Outdoor champion Owls' are sitting in third place after day one, trailing both East Tennessee State University, and USC Upstate.
Owls' thrower, Aymerick Kolokilagi, got the Owls off to a good start with a first place finish in the shot put (15.92m). His teammate and fellow senior, Casey Strickland added a second place finish in the event (15.05m) as well.
The conference championships are set to conclude today, Saturday, May 16.