Date Posted: 10/3/2007

MACON, Ga. – The Kennesaw State women’s cross country team entered its toughest meet of the year, the Tiger Invitational hosted by Auburn, without its top runner, Erin Sutton, who was resting a sore leg. In her absence, freshman Mackenzie Howe stepped up and turned in the fastest 5K time this season among Atlantic Sun women. For her efforts, Howe was named the Runner of the Week, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Howe, a native of Watkinsville, Ga., finished 27th at the meet in a time of 17:45.69. She is the first A-Sun female runner to run a 5K in under 18 minutes this season. Last year, only five female runners turned in times under the 18-minute mark. Howe is the first freshman woman to win a Runner of the Week award since Florida Atlantic’s Trisha Doyle won the award for the week of September 21, three years ago.

The Atlantic Sun Conference announces the Runner of the Week every Wednesday during the 2007 cross country season.

The Atlantic Sun Conference is a 12-member league committed to Building Winners for Life, with a focus on academic and athletic integrity and a balance between the two for the student-athlete, and maintaining a high level of sportsmanship. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun encompasses six of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun consists of some of the most dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gardner-Webb University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.

Other Top Performers

Vicki Currie, ETSU (So. - Dumfries, Scotland - Psychology) -- Led ETSU for the second straight meet; Finished 5K race in season-best 19:43; improved on her previous best of 20:11 from two weeks ago.

Deborah Jones, MER (Sr. - Thomasville, Ga. - English) -- Posted best time of 2007 (19:43) en route to leading Mercer to first-place finish at Georgia Collegiate Championships; Earned All-Georgia accolades.

Megan Thies, FGCU (Fr. - Brandon, Fla. - Undeclared) -- Set FGCU record in the 5K (19:31) at West Florida Stampede; finished second overall, the highest women’s finisher ever in competition.

Emily Tangwar, UPST (Fr. - Eldoret, Kenya - Nursing) -- Won 5K run at The Citadel in 18:14.34. Tangwar won by just over four seconds; first win of her career; fourth top eight finish in four meets this season.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Women's Cross Country