San Tan Valley, AZ -- Academy of Art University Track & Field had a season for the ages with a pair of NCAA National Championships on the women's side as well as multi-time All-Americans from both the men's and women's teams. In a Thursday announcement on the weekly Pacific West Conference Radio Show, members of those squads were honored as head coach Charles Ryan was named co-PacWest Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year, Vashti Thomas captured co-PacWest Women's Track Athlete of the Year, Johnny Carter was named co-PacWest Men's Field Athlete of the Year.


Coach Ryan, leader of the first NCAA National Champion in the program's first year of postseason eligibility and the USTFCCCA Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year in indoor, finished off his third year at the helm of Academy of Art with 32 NCAA All-Americans across the indoor and outdoor campaigns. He was joined by Tom Flood of Grand Canyon as co-Coaches of the Year.

"Postseason awards are very cool and, whenever an athlete or coach can obtain one, it's an honor," Coach Ryan said. "We appreciate the recognition and winning the awards. Personally, I have the highest respect for Tom Flood at Grand Canyon. We've both been in our positions for the same number of years. What he has done in Phoenix is fantastic and we wish him the best in the school's transition to Division I."


A contributor of more than 70 points to each of Academy of Art University's 2013 National Championships, Thomas was second to none at the NCAA Division II level this season and a vital part of ART U's success.

For outdoor, Thomas was a six-time NCAA All-American (200m, 100mH, 4x100m, 4x400m, LJ, TJ), and came in with a #1 ranking in the 200m, 100mH, LJ, and 4x100m. She secured the individual title in the 100mH, setting a new NCAA DII Championship meet record of 12.74. A two-time USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week, Thomas had a magical season where, in addition to the aforementioned success, she also tied NCAA record in 4x100m shuttle hurdles (52.50) and that same weekend broke the Drake Relays record in 4x100m (44.19). Over the course of outdoor, she delivered school records in five events (200m, 100mH, 4x100m, 4x400m, 4x400mH).

Thomas completed her outdoor campaign with six more All-American trophies to give her a total of 11 in her senior season. Those were on top of her indoor and outdoor High Point Athlete of the Meet awards for both championships, Division II Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, and All-West Region Track Athlete of the Year honors in each campaign just to name a few of her additional titles. She shared the co-PacWest Track Athlete of the Year award with Shavine Hodges of Grand Canyon.

"Vashti is undoubtedly the best athlete in Division II for 2013 and she deserves any recognition that comes her way," Coach Ryan said.

Carter, who essentially rewrote the program's record books in both the long jump and triple jump as a redshirt freshman, broke out for one of his best weekends at the PacWest Championships on Apr. 27.

After being crowned champion of both the long jump and triple jumps in indoor, Carter backed that up with marks in each event that remained in the nation's Top 6 though outdoor. The Bakersfield, CA native executed another sweep of the jumps at the PacWest Championships, offering the current school record in the triple jump (51-4.5). He was named PacWest Championship Men's Field Athlete of the Meet having collected All-PacWest First Team awards in both horizontal jumps.

Carter finished the outdoor season with an All-American honor in the long jump (24-7.75) to add to his pair from ART U's indoor campaign. The redshirt freshman, also a four-time USTFCCCA All-Region honoree, was co-Field Athlete of the Year with Kevin Lashley of Grand Canyon.

"Johnny had a fantastic year," Coach Ryan said. "It's great that the conference honored him for his performances throughout the season and at the PacWest Championships. His ability to fight for the NCAA Outdoor championships in both horizontal jump events was cut short due to injury, but he will be back stronger next year. We look forward to him defending his indoor NCAA titles."

As the 2013 outdoor track & field season was the first in PacWest history, these honors are both firsts for the Academy of Art University athletes. Fans can watch and listen to a replay of the announcement when it becomes available on KQCK's YouTube Channel.