AUBURN, Alabama - April 22, 2006 - Patrina Hayes once again led the charge for the Kennesaw State women's track and field team as she finished first in the 5,000-meter run at the Auburn Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The meet marked the end of the Owls' first season in the Atlantic Sun and NCAA Division I.

Hayes once again blazed the field, as the senior won the event with a time of 17:01.50. The Pontiac, Michigan native finished almost 19 second ahead of second place finisher, Samford's Michelle Brewer (17:20.52) and nearly 26 seconds ahead of KSU's own Erin Sutton. Tara Mooney took 12th in the race after crossing the finish line in 18:53.22.

Alison Steinmetz secured a fourth-place finish with a season-best throw of 35.05 m (115'-00") in the javelin throw.

Magdalena Polko closed out her collegiate career by taking home 10th in the 1,55-meter run with a time of 4:53.85, while Kim Garner (5:06.88) and Kelly Bloom (5:07.73) finished 17th and 18th, respectively.

Other performances of note included Lani Hammond's 13th place showing in the high jump with a leap of 1.50m (4'-11") and Alanna Hensley's 23rd place time of 16.92 in the 100-meter hurdles.