After strong performances all season long, both the men’s and women’s track and field teams dominated individual events over the weekend in their regular season finale at the Music City Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.
This was Kennesaw State’s last chance to work out any kinks before the ASUN Conference meet, and the teams did just that, with some athletes achieving lifetime bests.
The first day of the meet, sophomore Dayo Akindele recorded a personal and conference-best jump of 15.35m in the triple jump. Akindele finished third overall in the triple jump, but it was the fourth-farthest jump in KSU indoor track and field history.
Akindele finished the meet in fifth place overall in the long jump with an indoor personal-best jump of 7.41m.
“Dayo was a standout, triple-jumping a lifetime-best and his first time over 50 feet indoor,” said Andy Eggerth, the director of track and field at KSU.
Senior jumper Morgan Campbell posted a team- and season-best of 12.23m in the triple jump to finish in 13th place. Campbell’s jump is tied for the third longest in the history of KSU’s indoor program.
“So far, this has been a pretty good final tune-up prior to the conference,” Eggerth said.
He reflected on the many personal bests by team members.
“Three of our distance ladies ran huge lifetime bests in the 5k,” Eggerth said. “Our throwers, vaulters and horizontal jumpers are developing consistency at the top of their season marks. Several of our athletes that raced the 200m ran lifetime bests or indoor personal records.”
KSU carried its momentum into Saturday with another impressive showing.
Sophomores Jonathon Womack and Braden Canamare both ran indoor personal bests in the 400m dash. Womack timed in at 48.91 seconds, and Canamare followed close behind with 49.02 seconds. Seniors Diaja Oliver and Crystal Gray also ran career bests, along with junior Dollitia Thomas.
“After this final tune-up, we are in good position headed into the conference,” Eggerth said. “Our 400m runners showed out today, but I thought we were solid across the board.”
The team is preparing for the ASUN Conference Championship in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Feb. 23.
