Jordan Gray broke the Kennesaw State long jump record and was named as the Most Valuable Field Performer at the Owls’ first meet of the season at East Tennessee State University on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12.
The meet marked the first coaching competition for new Director of Track and Field Cale McDaniel. He found success in his debut, as the Owls achieved nine event wins over the two-day event and six personal-best performances.
On Friday, Gray finished first in the preliminary round of the women’s 60-meter hurdles while Julija Tarvide set a school record of 1.76 meters when she won the high jump. Two more Owls found victory on the first day, as Trezha Berryman won the triple jump and Nia Seldon won the weight throw.
KSU increased its quality on Saturday, with Gray winning the final round of the 60-meter hurdles and the shot put while setting both a school and facility record for her victory in the long jump.
The redshirt senior has been a consistent performer throughout her KSU career, having garnered Atlantic Sun All-Conference honors each of the past three seasons in multiple disciplines.
Additional victories on the second day were achieved by Brenda Ayuk in the mile run, John Blalock in the men’s shot put and Paris Williams in the men’s long jump.
Williams has also been an All-Conference player in his career, specializing in the pentathlon and decathlon.
“My staff and I were very excited to take the team up to ETSU to get the season started and they did not disappoint,” McDaniel said. “I can already see this is a special program and I am one proud coach.”
Next up, the men’s and women’s track teams will participate in a three-day event hosted by Samford University from Thursday, Jan. 17 to Jan. 19.
