2012 SDSU Aztec Invitational Results

San Diego, CA – Inclement weather was responsible for Academy of Art University track and field's abbreviated participation in San Diego State's 2012 Aztec Invitational on Saturday. Though originally scheduled to have competitors in over 13 events, ART U wound up seeing two relay teams and one set of hurdlers complete their races on the outdoor track before the wind and rain forced the cancellation of the day's remaining competitions. Nevertheless, junior Vashti Thomas still posted a new 100m hurdles record for the program.

“Track meets are rarely canceled due to weather,” head coach Charles Ryan said. “There was extreme rain and lots of wind and for most part our athletes responded well to the mental test which is what this was in the end. The weather next week in Los Angeles should be better.”

Thomas highlighted the rain-shortened day three of the Aztec Invite with her 1st place finish in the 100mH. Finishing with a time of 13.55, the San Jose, CA native captured not only the top mark out of the 28 competitors she faced, but also the best time for an Urban Knight yet. It surpasses the result originally posted by Briana Stewart at Cal's Brutus Hamilton Invitational last year.

Juniors Ashley Austin and Dominique Berry also competed in the 100mH and the grouping of Thomas, Stewart, Berry, and senior Jazmin White participated in the 4x100m relay.


On the men's side, the quartet of junior Erik Piedad, freshman Jaylon Hicks, sophomore Reneilwe Aphane, and senior Emil Tolliver worked together to earn a 3rd place finish out of eight teams in the 4x100m relay. Their time of 42.26 ranked fourth overall in the program's record book.

ART U will send its athletes to Pasadena, CA for the Pasadena Games next Friday and Saturday (Mar. 23-24) while a group of Knights are also scheduled to compete at the Johnny Mathis Invitational hosted by San Francisco State on Mar. 24.