Date Posted: 3/26/2008

MACON, Ga. - Gardner-Webb's Elizabeth Maxwell began the 2008 outdoor track and field season by setting a new mark in the hammer throw. Maxwell registered a throw of 161-04.00 (49.17m) to distinguish her as the first Atlantic Sun Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week in 2008, the conference announced Wednesday.

Going into last weekend’s 49er Classic, the senior biology student owned the school record in the hammer throw, a toss of 149-06.00 (45.57m) she set at last year’s A-Sun Championships. Maxwell, a native of Johnsonville, S.C., rendered that effort a distant memory when she bested it by nearly 12 feet to finish second. Last year’s Most Outstanding Field Performer at the A-Sun Outdoor Track and Field Championship added a 19th–place finish in the discus with a throw of 109-05.00 (33.35m).

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

Mackenzie Howe (Fr. - Distance - Undeclared - Watkinville, Ga.) - Howe won her first outdoor 5k at the Clemson Relays (18:34.89).

Emily Tangwar (Fr. - Distance - Nursing - Eldoret, Kenya) - In her first career outdoor meet at the 49er Classic, Tangwar won the 3000 meters with a time of 10:34.87.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Women's Track & Field