Saturday, December 03, 2005

CLEMSON, S.C. – December 3, 2005 – Patrina Hayes won the 3000m run as the Kennesaw State women’s track and field team opened its indoor season this past weekend at the Clemson Opener. The event was the first competition for the newly formed indoor track and field program.

The Lady Owls were impressive in the distance events as Hayes paced the Lady Owls with her victory. The Pontiac, Michigan, native won with a time of 10:08.89, nearly 17 seconds ahead of Georgia Tech’s Elena Linn (10:25.82) and Clemson’s Jenny Barton (10:25.85).

“This was an outstanding start for us as a Division I program,” said head coach Don McGarey. “We held our own very well against some of the top indoor programs in the country.”

Catherine Combs took ninth in the 3000m run in a time of 11:18.64. Tara Mooney placed second in the 5000m run with a time of 18:36.83. Rounding out the top individual performances for KSU was Magdalena Polko, who finished third in the mile run, with a time of 5:20.64.

The distance medley relay team was another bright spot for the Lady Owls. The team consisting of Erin Sutton, Shantela Davis, Polko and Hayes finished third behind Alabama-Brimingham and Clemson in a time of 12:47.36. Other performances of note included Alanna Hensley’s tie for fifth place in the high jump with a mark of 1.55m (5’-1”) and Lani Hammond’s 20th place finish in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.46.

The Lady Owls will take some time off for the winter holidays before returning to the track on January 16 when they travel to the University of North Carolina Opener in Chapel Hill.

Release courtesy of KSU Athletic Communications