Academy of Art University Athletics

Academy of Art track & field's Yacouba Gnacko soared to two of his best jumps of the season in a pair of meets at the future site of NCAA Division II Indoor Nationals this past week.

The Industrial Design major opened by bettering his previous indoor-best in the long jump by more than four inches with a 22-11.75 (7.00m) in his third attempt to end second of 13 on the day at the Marlin Invitational on Jan. 20. That effort moved him up to fifth in ART U history.

One day later on Jan. 21 in the Blue Marlin Invitational, Gnacko was initially vying for first place in the triple jump before his fourth attempt featured distance of 49-5 (15.06m) which put him at the top of the 10-jumper field as well as ninth in the country as an Indoor Nationals provisional qualifier.