Albuquerque, NM -- This weekend the Albuquerque Convention Center will be flooded by the best American athletes from around the nation seeking out a chance to represent Team USA at the IAAF World Indoor Championships. The USA Track & Field Indoor National Championships will begin this weekend and the Academy of Art University Urban Knights will once again be represented well. Three members of the Urban Knight Nation met the qualifying standards to compete this season including junior Vashti Thomas (60mH/LJ), junior Briana Stewart (60mH), and assistant coach Lauren Smith (60mH).

“This is just such a cool position to be in,” said head coach Charles Ryan, “We have such amazing athletes here. I mean how many coaches get to watch their college athletes run up against the best in the world? Not too many. Vashti has put in a lot of work in to be in the position she is now. She deserves everything and she has earned it. This weekend is a testament to that work and it's an honor to be a part of it.”

“I think it's really awesome because the track team is making so much progress,” Stewart said. “This year, three of us get to qualify so I just pray Vashti and Lauren do their absolute best and know that the team is with them in spirit. Our goal is to get our jersey on television so people can continue to know who we are and watch our growth. It's very exciting.”

Stewart, who set the program record in the 60m hurdles at ART U's first indoor meet this season in December 2011, posted a blistering 8.21 time at the Boise State Jacksons Open & Multi's. Her mark stood #1 in the world at the time and can still be found listed among the best of the IAAF World List. This marks the second consecutive year that Stewart has qualified for the USA Championships, but unfortunately, she suffered a stress fracture in her foot which forced her to forfeit the remainder of her indoor track season.

“Last year when I made it, I wasn't as excited as this year because I was absolutely stoked when I qualified this year,” Stewart said. “I'm sad I can't compete, but I'm not too worried. Everything happens for a reason and I have continued to say it was a minor setback for a major blessing.”

Since that time, it has been her teammate Vashti Thomas who has carried the flag for the Urban Knights. Thomas has qualified herself for the championships by taking down Stewart's program record in the 60mH a few weeks ago in Seattle, WA. Her performance of 8.19 was not only a new school record, but that mark currently sits as the #9 performance on the NCAA leader board (all divisions). Thomas and Stewart are in fact currently #1 and #2 among all Division II athletes.

“We're really coming along and feel like this is what is supposed to be happening,” Thomas said. This is the direction it's supposed to be going and I'm just happy to be a part of it. I feel really honored to be in a program that is just starting out and already doing unbelievable things. I'm just a piece of the puzzle and it feels pretty cool. I really miss my teammates though. I wish they were here.”

And as lethal as Thomas has been over the hurdles, she has been even more impressive on the runway. In January, on the same track that will host this weekend's festivities, Thomas leaped an amazing 6.48m (21-3.25) in the long jump. Undoubtedly a school record and #1 in nation at the time, but that performance currently still stands as the #6 performance in the United States, and #26 in the world heading into this weekend.

“I'm excited,” Thomas said. “This whole season has been crazy and I can't believe this is happening. I think I'm still in shock. I'm just trying to tell myself it's a regular track meet so I don't get freaked out.”

“Vashti has been doing extremely well and I'm proud of her,” Stewart said. “I just pray she does her absolute best and represents our team and school well.”

Of course, being on the national and even world stage is nothing new for Thomas. She represented Team USA in 2008 when she was selected to the US World Junior Team in both the 100mH and the triple jump. Now in 2012, Vashti seems to have more options on the table. Her father is of Panamanian decent and she is considering seeking out dual citizenship to possibly compete for Panama for the 2012 London Olympics.

“Honestly, it's just mind-blowing because I have wanted to go ever since I was little,” Thomas said. “And now it's just so crazy that I can't even put it into words. I'm so excited to have the chance to go.”

Whichever uniform she ultimately ends up in on a world stage, Thomas will be representing the Academy of Art University Urban Knights this weekend as she does battle over the 60m hurdles and on the long jump runway against some of the best in the professional world of track and field. Among her opponents will be two-time 60mH World Indoor Champion LoLo Jones and three-time World Champion long jumper Brittney Reese.

“The US National Championships are always a fierce competition and, with this being an Olympic year, the intensity should be ratcheted up even more,” Coach Ryan said. “It's a great experience for Vashti and she has a real chance to interrupt some of the professional women's plans which would be great to see. I'm excited! It's going to be fun.” 

The USA Indoor Track & Field Championships will have a live internet broadcast starting Saturday, February 25th at 4:30 MST (3:30 PM PST) and will be broadcast on ESPN Sunday, February 26 at 7:30-9:30 PM EST (4:30-6:30 PM PST).

For more information on the USATF, please visit the following link:
http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx

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http://www.usatf.org/events/2012/USAIndoorTFChampionships/entry/status.asp#women