2012 University of New Mexico Invitational Day One Results

Albuquerque, NM – Welcome to Academy of Art University, Vashti Thomas.

With an incredible 21-3.25 (6.48m) mark in the long jump, junior Vashti Thomas made the first day of the 2012 University of New Mexico Invitational a historic one for sixth-ranked Academy of Art University women's track & field. Thomas' feat emerges as now #1 in all NCAA divisions, #2 in the United States only behind World Champion Brittney Reese, and she is currently #8 in the entire world. In addition to Thomas stealing the show inside the Indoor Track Convention Center, junior Dominique Berry claimed 1st place in the 400m hurdles with a new ART U record of 1:03.89.

“Honestly, it's hard to describe, but what Vashti did today further validates her decision to attend school here,” head coach Charles Ryan said. “She has now jumped the furthest ever in her life. You can really see that she is doing well in school and that she's a natural leader on this team. If anyone in the country was in doubt about how Vashti is doing in this program, today just confirms how far back she is.”

“I was just in the moment,” Thomas said. “On my second jump going into my third, I was thinking I just want to jump 20. Then the girl in front of me had jump 20 so now my goal was to jump 20 and go further than her. Then, when she jumped further, I was thinking, 'I'm not about to be in second place!' So I just let it all go and it just happened.”

Heading into the weekend, Texas Christian University's Whitney Gipson had the top long jump mark in all divisions of the NCAA with a 20-7.75 and Thomas not only bested that, but she jumped far beyond Friday. Thomas' 21-3.25 mark was also considerably further than her first outing on the same track in the Cherry & Silver Invitational last weekend when she produced a 20-1. Two long jump performances into this season and the San Jose, CA native is already demonstrating her elite talent.

“It's amazing and I feel nothing but happiness and excitement,” Thomas said. “It's hard to describe how happy I am for this season. At Division I [Texas A&M], it was always about the first person to hit that mark and qualify for Nationals and now I have an opportunity to be that first person. I feel like it's finally my time now. I'm just happy to be here at this school right now.”

Berry was also at the forefront of the Urban Knights' success in Friday's action. The Oakland, CA native broke out to take 1st place in the 400m hurdles, an event rarely seen in the indoor circuit, with a 1:03.89 time which was nearly five full seconds better than the 2nd place performance.

“I'm extremely proud of Dom rising to the challenge I put in front of her,” Coach Ryan said. “It's scary to do in an event for the first time indoors, but she aggressively attacked every hurdle. It was an amazing race and if she's able to keep that focus going forward, she will have an amazing season.”

“Due to me panicking the last couple races the weekend prior, I hadn't performed like I wanted to, but this time, I went in really relaxed and since this was the event I specialize in, I was not that worried,” Berry said. “I was confident in my previous experience and went in calm. I knew I had it and just ran my race. It's exciting, but I would still like to take the time down. Overall, it was really great and this was my first time running the 400m hurdles indoors so I know I have much more I can give.”

Berry and Thomas, who have bonded as roommates on the trip, led the way for the Academy of Art University Friday and both Urban Knights will be in action tomorrow as well.

“Vashti is very calm and it is uplifting to be around her,” Berry said. “It's just different with her. She's very calming and being surrounded by her just makes me relax. I think we both uplift one another.”

In other women's competitions, sophomore Kylie Long finished 4th in the 600m run with a new ART U record time of 1:39.15. She surpassed the mark set by senior Kristen Sanzari last weekend in the same Indoor Track Convention Center. Sophomore Heather Castro also competed in the same event.

Senior Jazmin White continued to turn in strong marks with a 25.73 in the 200m dash (4th all-time for ART U). Senior Jesseka Raymond produced a 26.07 time in the same event and junior Ashley Austin also took part in the long jump as well as the 400mH.

On the men's side, senior Emil Tolliver offered a lifetime best in the 200m dash with a time of 22.37. He snatched 9th to lead four Academy of Art competitors in the race and now holds the second best time in the ART U All-Time Record Book. Not far behind Tolliver were freshman Jaylon Hicks (22.56) and junior Erik Piedad who also had a lifetime best of 22.96. Junior Gavin Robertson saw his first action for the Urban Knights in the 200m.

Sophomore Reneilwe Aphane also competed in the men's long jump and posted a distance of 21-3.25.

Tomorrow is the second and final day of the 2012 University of New Mexico Invitational back inside the Indoor Track Convention Center.