2014 UAB Blazer Invitational Final Results

Birmingham, AL – Day two of the UAB Blazer Invitational saw Academy of Art University Track & Field provisionally qualify three individuals and one relay team for the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships in mid-March. Keanna Moody (400m), Shaquille Howard (400m), Jordan Edwards (200m), and the Urban Knight women's 4x400m relay offered a memorable conclusion to Saturday's action inside the Birmingham Crossplex.

"Although we are far away from where we need to be as a team, I was pleased with the heart and effort we showed today," head coach Charles Ryan said. "This team will suffer through many growing pains this year, but they are growing up fast, as they must. The standards and expectations are very high here."

Howard, owner of the school record in the 400m dash, dropped down from his 49.06 time at the Early Grizzly Open to a 48.51 which remained a NCAA DII provisionally qualifying time. He would earn 4th place overall in a meet that featured a total of 50 competitors including Thomas Benson who posted a new indoor personal best of 52.48. Howard finished in front of top competitors from Division I Western Kentucky (Christopher Chamness), Mississippi (Creighton Serrette), and Florida (Donnie Lee, Jr.).

For the second consecutive day, Jordan Edwards made onlookers notice Academy of Art with his NCAA provisional qualifier of 21.94 in the 200m dash. Edwards took 8th overall a field 46 competitors deep and rose to third on the Knights' all-time list with his event debut. Alexander McNally was also in action in the 200m, finishing 35th overall with a time of 23.03.

Although ART U's Johnny Carter, holder of the UAB Blazer long jump meet record which he set in his collegiate debut last season, was not in action, the Knights did have a pair of jumpers who finished back-to-back. Ronald Spears, Jr. claimed 23rd place overall with his new personal best 21-10 (6.65m) mark. Just behind him in 24th, newcomer Geno Simmons turned in a 21-7.25 (6.58m) distance.

The men's 4x400m relay team of Spears, Jr., Simmons, Jack Nevins, and Marlon Britton picked up a 23rd place finish with their collective time of 3:29.97.

On the women's side, Moody dropped back into step with her exciting freshman campaign with a 57.26 time in the 400m dash. It was the now-sophomore's first NCAA provisional qualifier of the year and put her 12th overall in an event featuring 65 sprinters. Mistic Scott was also in the top half of the end results, taking 32nd with a 59.91 mark.

In the women's 4x400m relay, the foursome of Moody, Scott, Dierra Haven, and Dominique Berry crossed the finish line at 3:55.28, earning 15th place overall and a NCAA provisional qualifier in the process. They effectively beat out Mississippi, Georgia State, and other Division I teams in the event.

The Urban Knights take their first team trip to The Armory in New York, NY next weekend where they will compete in the Great Dane Classic hosted by University at Albany on Friday, Jan. 17 then Ramapo College's Indoor Select on Saturday, Jan. 18.