By: By Hunter McKay
ASUN Release
KENNESAW, Ga. – Days after winning their first ASUN Indoor Championship over the weekend, the women's track and field team has received a trio of postseason awards the conference announced Friday. Director of Track and Field
Andy Eggerth has been named ASUN Coach of the Year for the first time on the women's side while
Jordan Gray was named ASUN Most Outstanding Field Athlete and
Julija Tarvide was named Most Outstanding Freshman Performer for their performances at the conference championships.
"Our teams really showed up to compete at the championships which is displayed by Owls claiming 75% of the outstanding performer awards," Eggerth said. "It's not just these individuals I'm proud of, but it's a team effort, no individual can win the championship alone."
Eggerth led the women to their first ASUN Indoor Championship victory. His women's team shattered the previous ASUN scoring record with 249 points in the two-day meet as the team finished 102 points ahead of 11 time reigning ASUN Champion Jacksonville. Those 249 points were the most scored by any Division I women's indoor conference championship winning team in 2017.
"This award isn't at all about me…it's for my staff," Eggerth said. "There's no way I can be successful without them. Every great leader knows that if you surround yourself with excellence, they make you look good. I've just been lucky enough to be surrounded by assistant coaches who work their tails off year round and continually rise to the challenge of being better as we continually try to grow the program. After working years to be the best it's finally paid off, but we're not slowing down here!"
Gray, won the pentathlon with a new school and conference record of 4019 points. In the pentathlon field events, Gray won the shot put with a school and conference record toss of 13.57m (44'6.5) and the long jump with a leap of 5.74m (18'10). She finished second in the pentathlon high jump after clearing 1.65m (5'5). In the open events, Gray scored in each of the four events she competed in. She would reach the medal stand in the long jump with a leap of 5.79m (19'0) to earn the silver medal and in the high jump clearing 1.70m (5'7) to take home the bronze medal. She also collected points for the Owls with a fourth place finish in the pole vault and fifth place finish in shot put. Her 30 points scored at the meet also earned her ASUN Most Valuable Performer honors.
"Jordan is your ideal athlete. She's the one you have to hold back from doing too much. She works her butt off every day, sacrifices her comfort for the greater good of the team, pays attention to detail, and does exactly what is asked of her. Rather than having a big head, she is filled with humility; often the first one to get equipment out or clean up after others. Jordan is not just a great athlete but a great person. Much credit to her parents for a great job raising a wonderful young lady," Eggerth said.
Tarvide won the high jump in her only event at the ASUN Indoor Championships. She set a new school record after clearing 1.75m (5'8.75) to win the event. Her clearance of 1.75m was the top high jump in the conference for the entire indoor season.
"It's always difficult for one-event athletes to win awards compared against those doing multiple events which says something about Julija. To win the most outstanding freshman award for only competing in the high jump is awesome. She's had to overcome some adversity quickly to get to this point. Just arriving in a new country in January, taking on a new training and coaching style in the middle of the year, and different competition constructs are all huge changes that she's adapting to very well" Eggerth said.
The Owls open their outdoor season on March 24-25 at the two-day Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State.
Keep up with Owls track and field teams by following KSU on Twitter at
@KSUOwlNation and
@KSUTrackFieldXC or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on
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