A-Sun Release (Abdullah) I A-Sun Release (Jones)
MACON, Ga. - The Kennesaw State track and field program earned double honors for the second time this year as both
Bilal Abdullah (Fr. Gwinnett, Ga.) and
Gwen Jones (Sr. Statesboro, Ga.) received Atlantic Sun Athlete of the Week honors, announced the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.
Both athletes turned in record-breaking performances at this past weekends Samford Indoor Invitational. Abdullah, on his way to finishing first in the heptathlon, set three new school records in overall heptathlon points (4980), the high jump (2.0m), and the 60 meters (7.09), as well as a personal best in the 60 meter hurdles (8.54).
Abdullah, a first time honoree of the award, currently holds the number one ranking in the A-Sun Conference for the heptathlon.
“Considering Bilal has only been training for the heptathlon a few months, it is impressive that he was able to set new records in multiple events,” Head Coach
Andy Eggerth said. “It will be interesting to see what he can accomplish before his career is over”.
Jones, a second time winner of the award, set a new personal best, and school record with a throw of 18.2m (59-08.50) in the weight throw. This mark led to a third place finish in the event and bested the previous school record held by
Suzee Mills (17.78m).
The success continued for Jones in the shot put as she finished 12th with a throw of 13.3m (43-07.75). Jones currently holds the top ranking in the A-Sun for both the weight throw and shot put heading into the A-Sun Indoor Championship.
“Gwen is coming along very nicely this season,” Assistant Coach
Duane Morris stated. “The remaining throwing events are going to be very exciting to watch unfold as the competition is getting stronger.”
Both men’s and women’s track teams conclude the indoor season at the upcoming Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Championships in Johnson City, Tenn., on the campus of East Tennessee State.
The men are looking to defend their number one finish at the event last season, and capture their fourth A-Sun title in six years. The women will attempt to avenge their runner-up status from last year when they were unable to fend off a late push by the Jacksonville Dolphins. Their second place finished was the closest any team has come to upsetting the Dolphins since 2006.
Keep up with Owls track and field by following KSU on Twitter at
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUTrackFieldXC or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
Kennesaw State University is celebrating 30 years of intercollegiate athletics during the 2012-13 academic year.
