San Francisco, CA --- Over the weekend athletes from the Academy of Art University competed in both the 53rd Annual Mt. Sac Relays, as well as the Long Beach Invitational.

"Competing in a meet as prestigious as the Mt. Sac Relays is a big deal for our program," said Head Coach Charles Ryan. "Every athlete that competed [in the meet] had to earn their way in, I'm very proud of these athletes and the work they have put in this season," Ryan said.

Kennedy Kurgat was one ART U athlete who was able to test his skills against a solid field of 97 runners in the men's 800m. The junior placed sixth in his heat with a season best time of 1:53.59. On the women's side, Kylie Long competed in the same event. Just shy of a personal best, Long completed the event in 2:20.55.

"Both Kennedy and Kylie took a tough lesson today," said Ryan. "They competed hard and I'm proud of them for their effort. They learned today just how important it is to understand the flow of a race, it's very difficult to just 'run' the 800m you have to 'think' as well, I know they both will benefit from this experience in the future," said Ryan.

Alexander Craig, Kennedy Kurgat, Erik Piedad, and Emil Tolliver took second in their heat in the 4x100. Overall, the quartet, who earned ART U's top mark in the event, took sixth with a time of 41.53

"The guys ran a great race," said Ryan. "We had one mistake that cost us a chance to hit our season goal of breaking 41 seconds, but they stood tall today and I'm happy with the result," Ryan said.

Then in the 4x400, Kennedy Kurgat, Alexander Craig, Pearson Crichlow, and Aric Armon attempted to continue the relay success. Unfortunately, a costly mistake earned them a 3:22.99 finish. "Dropping the baton is never okay, but what is not to be lost in this is just how amazingly well all four of the guys ran despite the huge mistake," added Ryan. "We had a moment of lost composure, but despite that each leg ran extremely well and I know the next time we step out there with our best four a major school record will be on display," said Ryan.

Remigius Roskosch rounded out the group competing in the Mt. Sac Relays. Roskosch, up again against athletes from major Division I schools, delivered a solid performance in the long jump. The sophomore finished seventh with a 7.42m jump.

In Long Beach, numerous athletes pushed themselves to the limit by setting new personal bests in their respective events.

Emil Tolliver smoked the competition in his heat of the men's 100m. Tolliver finished with a time of 10.86, beating his previous best mark by one second. Erik Piedad also set a new season best in the same event, finishing in 11.31. Tolliver again set a career best time, this time in the 200m. His time of 22.55 marks his fastest finish in the 200m this season. Teammate Pearson Crichlow clocked in with a time of 21.56(w) in the 200m, and a season best 48.74 in the 400m.

Back together for another round, the men's 4x100 relay team once again ran a solid race. Roskosh, Crichlow, Piedad and Craig finished third with a blistering time of 41.60.

On the women's side, Chantel King broke a minute for the second time this season in the 400m, setting a new personal best with a time of 59.53.

"It seemed like every time I turned around we had another PR or seasonal best today, as a coach that's always what you want from your athletes, it was a great day, highlighted by the sprint crew," closed Ryan.

The Urban Knights return to the Bay Area for the Brutus Hamilton Invitational taking place April 22-23.