After impressive indoor seasons, the Kennesaw State men’s and women’s track and field teams began their outdoor season at the Yellow Jacket Invitational hosted by Georgia Tech on March 15 and March 16.
Athletes who displayed standout performances in the Atlantic Sun Conference indoor championships continued to show their skills to start the outdoor phase of the season.
Paris Williams, who was named Most Outstanding Performer of the Indoor Championships, finished as the top collegiate in the 110-meter hurdles at Georgia Tech with a time of 14.29 seconds.
Williams had a successful outdoor season last year, winning the 110-meter hurdles, among other events, at the conference outdoor championships.
Field specialist Chuck McConville set a career record with a discus throw of 46.75 meters, finishing fifth. He was named Most Outstanding Field Performer at the indoor championships after taking the gold medal in the weight throw.
McConville’s discus throw length at Georgia Tech was longer than his previous high at last year’s conference outdoor championships, where he finished second.
A KSU school record was achieved by former University of Alabama standout Daniel Haugh, who placed first in the hammer toss with a throw of 70.80 meters.
He holds school records for the hammer throw and weight throw for the Crimson Tide and was a First Team All-American selection in the weight throw.
For the women’s team, redshirt senior Erica Sergeant finished first in the pole vault at a height of 4.0 meters. She has been chosen multiple times as an All-Conference selection in that event.
Freshman Brenda Ayuk, who was frequently the top finisher for KSU during the indoor season, earned a top-10 program time in the 800-meter run. Ayuk previously set a school record in the 1000-meter event during the indoor season.
Three other female athletes achieved personal best scores in the discus, 400-meter hurdles and the 2000-meter steeplechase.
“This weekend was a great way for us to get into the outdoor season,” Director of Track and Field Clay McDaniel said. “We have a lot of work ahead but I know this group is up for the task.”
Up next, the Owls head to Mississippi State University to participate in the Bulldog Invitational from March 22 to March 23.
