2012 Jacksons Open & Multi's Results

Nampa, ID -- It was a memorable debut for many Urban Knights Friday and Saturday as Academy of Art University track and field punched several tickets to the NCAA Championships in its opening indoor meet, the Jacksons Open and Multi's, at Boise State's Jacksons Indoor Track.

The trio of seniors Vashti Thomas, Briana Stewart, and junior Julian Purvis all ensured their spot in the NCAAs with top times in the 60m hurdles. Thomas and Stewart later teammed up with sophomore Jasmine Joseph and freshman Keanna Moody for a new program-record and NCAA qualifying time in the women's 4x400m. Freshman Shaquille Howard, another of ART U's NCAA qualifiers, set a new program record in the 400m dash while sophomore Jaylon Hicks picked up right where he left off with an impressive time in the 60m dash. Newly honored NCAA All-American in cross country, senior Jenny Bergren added new program distance records.

"Wow what a day," head coach Charles Ryan said. "As a team, I honestly could not be more satisfied with how we preformed as a group. You can just feel the presence of these athletes; they put on a show today."

On the women's side, Thomas and Stewart stood out with some program Top 5 marks in various events, but Purvis, a former high school All-American who transferred from the University of Michigan, was right there with them. The trio earned Top 3 finishes in the 60mH Open on Friday with Stewart offering an 8.30 time then they were once again in front for Saturday's 60mH with Thomas and Stewart simultaneously crossing at #1 with 8.24 marks.

"Last season, when Bri opened up with 8.21 in the hurdles, many people figured it was a fluke. She just proved it was no such thing," Coach Ryan said. "Ms. Stewart is back and better than ever. She ran like a grown woman today. She fought for that win in the hurdles. Taking down Vashti is hard to do and Bri made a statement today."

Thomas, ART U's first U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier earlier this year, used a 7.49 burst to capture 2nd overall in a 35-competitor field in the 60m dash. Stewart was not far behind in 6th (7.67) and Purvis made Top 15 with a sprint of 7.96. Both Thomas and Stewart hit the NCAA provisional marks and will more than likely compete in the Championships in the 60m as well.

"Vash came in and took care of business," Coach Ryan said. "Both of her races were the best she has ever opened a season and to run that fast this early so effortlessly is a testament to the focus she has right now. In a word, she was vicious today."

In the 200m dash, junior Chantel King led the way for ART U with a time of 26.28 and then, in the 400m, another new face showed her skills as Joseph posted a 58.31 which was just shy of the Top 5 all-time for Academy of Art.

“I know Jasmine has to be anxious to get back on the track after such a long time away from competition,” Coach Ryan said. “She fell right into the flow and ran a strong race in the 400m. She was always in control and you could really see that she still knows how to navigate the dynamics of her race model. She is a vet, and she ran like it today.”

Not far behind Joseph was Moody, an All-State letter winner in track & field from North Star High School in Lincoln, NE. Moody turned in a 58.35 in the 400m and a 26.44 in the 200m which were welcomed as she made her collegiate debut.

“The baby made her presence known today, to her teammates, to her competition, to everyone,” Coach Ryan said. “It's a great thing to see a freshman step up when it's their first time in the spotlight. She has a bright future here in this program.”

The incredible performances for many of these Urban Knights continued into the relays where foursome of Stewart, Moody, Thomas, and Joseph set a new program record in the 4x400m with their collective time of 3:46.61. It shattered the previous mark (3:50.78) set late in the previous indoor season.

However, beyond the excitement surrounding that achievement, Coach Ryan was particularly impressed with junior Ashley Austin who competed in three individual events (60m Open, 200m, and 400m) as well as the 4x400m relay.

“Ms. Austin ran was the surprise of the meet,” Coach Ryan said. “She didn't run any NCAA qualifying standards or put of any performances that will garner a lot of attention but she deserves attention from inside the family. Ashley had her best meet ever: two huge lifetime bests, and a PR split in the relay. I extremely proud of the way she competed today.”

For the men, a memorable performance from Howard in the 400m seemed to steal the show. He posted a 47.85 which trumped the previous ART U record by over a full second. The time was also comparable to his lifetime best in the 400m outdoor (47.0).

“Shaq has waited a long time for this chance to put on the jersey and he took full advantage of it,” Coach Ryan said. “He was aggressive, he was smart, he was in control, and ran a very savvy race. Shaq has just established himself as a national force and many people will see his performance today and take notice.”

Also in the 400m, junior Stephen Peevy made an impact with a 49.44 mark to pick up third overall on the all-time list with this program. Another who came close to breaking records was Hicks who offered a 6.91 in the 60m dash (4th all-time for Academy of Art) and then followed that up with a 22.42 in the 200m. In addition, freshman Alexander McNally demonstrated his talents with a 22.20 mark in the 200m to set a new personal best which was second in ART U history.

The trio of Peevy, Howard, and McNally, then joined senior Erik Piedad for another new program record in the 4x400m relay. Their time of 3:20.88 was nearly four full seconds better than the previous mark set in 2011. Finally, freshman Luis Nunez shattered a program record in his own right with a 35-11.5 throw in the shot put.

“We came up to Boise this early looking to have a proper evaluation of where we are and hopefully to punch some tickets to NCAA Championships,” Coach Ryan said. “We learned that we are in great shape and we punched four individual tickets to NC's plus the women's 4x400 relay. We broke lots of team records, got a bunch of lifetime bests. It was a great day for ART U Track and just made the 2013 season even more exciting, stay tuned.”

Following this early start to the indoor season, ART U will not return to competitive action until Jan. 10-11 when the Urban Knights travel to Birmingham, AL for the UAB Blazer Invitational.