Jan. 17, 2008

MACON, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Conference named Kennesaw State distance specialist Erin Sutton the Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week in a release by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.

The award marks the first time this season that Sutton has been honored with a weekly track award. Sutton was a two-time women's cross country Runner of the Week recipient.

The junior took first place in the three-kilometer race at the Joe Hilton Tar Heel Invitational on Saturday, setting a new personal best as she crossed the finish line in a time of 10:36.03, narrowly edging teammate Mackenzie Howe. Sutton's performance led the Owls to a sweep of the top three spots in the race.

"I'm very proud of Erin," said head coach Don McGarey. "She had suffered a stress facture after cross country and we are just very glad to have her back on the team. This was her debut race for the indoor season and excelled. We can always count on Erin to run her hardest and lead us to wins."

Sutton's career is loaded with top performances. In three years as an Owl, Sutton has been awarded all-conference honors in track and field and cross-country. In 2005, she was named the A-Sun Women's Cross Country Freshman Runner of the Year and has also won numerous races including the Jacksonville Season Opener and Mercer Atlanta Invitational.

This weekend Erin will lead the Owls in both the 5k and 3k races at the Niswonger Invitational in Johnson City Tenn.