2012 University of Washington Indoor Open Results

Seattle, WA – In the final indoor meet before the USA Track & Field Indoor Championships, a host of Academy of Art University athletes demonstrated their talents Sunday at the University of Washington Open. The Urban Knights suited up inside the Huskies' Dempsey Indoor and produced several top marks in program history. Highlighting the day were lifetime bests for senior Jazmin White and senior Emil Tolliver in the sprint events.

White put together two of her best individual races Sunday in the 200m and the 400m. She began by taking 7th place out of a 74-runner field in the 200m with a lifetime best of 25.38. That mark ranks second on the ART U All-Time list. Then, in the 400m, White turned in another personal record of 57.67 (also second in program history) which was good for 10th out of 60 competitors.

Joining White in the 200m was junior Dominique Berry and senior Jesseka Raymond while sophomore Chantel King, junior Tiara Sims, and Berry also participated in the 400m. Raymond, who partook in three events Sunday, excelled in the 60m hurdles where she placed 13th out of 53 runners. She along with junior Ashley Austin gave two strong efforts in the 60m dash as well with both finishing in the Top 25.

From the distance crew, sophomore Kylie Long posted a solid 2:21.01 in the 800m which enabled her to finish 26th out of 50. Senior Stacey Toth had her career-best performance in the 1 mile with a 5:58.88 mark that puts her at the top of the ART U records for that event.

“Kylie ran about a five second season-best and improved upon last year's performance at this meet," assistant coach Ben DeLand said. "I'm excited to get to work with her these next few weeks and see what we can do outdoors.”

Two ART U teams participated in the 4x400 relay with the foursome of White, junior Vashti Thomas, Berry, and Sims posting a new program record in addition to taking second overall. Sophomore Heather Castro combined with Long, Austin, and senior Kristen Sanzari in the other Urban Knight grouping. Sanzari followed up Saturday's season best and record-setting performance in the 800m with a strong leg in the 4x400m today.

“I enjoyed having Kristen this fall and for indoor track," Coach DeLand said. "She brought a lot to the table especially for the women as far as her Division I experience goes. Her poise at big meets, her attitude, and personality have been valuable assets for the women's team. I couldn't have asked for a better graduate transfer.”



The Academy of Art men had their share of highlights Sunday particularly in the sprint events. Out of a 77-runner field, Tolliver and junior Gavin Robertson each placed in the Top 9 in the 60m dash. Tolliver was 6th with a time of 7.09 while Robertson came through in 9th (7.11). Junior Erik Piedad also represented the Knights in that race.

Tolliver followed up his 60m performance with a lifetime best in the 200m dash where he completed the race in 22.21. That time ranks second in program history. Piedad and freshman Jaylon Hicks were also among the ART U participants in the 200m. Robertson also turned in a personal record of 50.05 in the 400m (second on Academy of Art All-Time list) and placed 7th in a field of 58.

Sophomore Hamza Bouchafra got through the 800m with a solid 1:59.41 mark (another second-best time in ART U history) while senior Kennedy Kurgat was not far behind at 2:00.88. Freshman Jack Nevins also competed in a distance event, the 3000m, for the first time in his Urban Knight career.

“Jack ran his first proper collegiate distance track race and I'm pleased with how he competed,” Coach DeLand said. “Going into the race, we didn't know exactly where his fitness was at, but the result is worth a lifetime best at that distance. I'm very pleased with his performance and where he's at right now in the season.”

The final event of the day was the 4x400m relay in which the team of Bouchafra, Robertson, Hicks, and Piedad claimed 7th out of 16 with the third-best time in program history.

The UW Open effectively concludes the regular season for indoor track and field with the USA Indoor Championships and the outdoor season now on the horizon for the end of February and early March.