2012 Boise State Bronco Classic Results

Nampa, ID – A memorable and record-breaking 2011-12 Academy of Art University track & field indoor season continued Saturday with the 2012 Bronco Classic hosted by Boise State. Inside the Jackson Indoor Track, several Urban Knights became new program record holders including junior Vashti Thomas (60m), senior Kristen Sanzari (800m), senior Amos Maru (3000m), sophomore Hamza Bouchafra (800m), and sophomore Reneilwe Aphane (triple jump).

Both the 60m hurdles and the 60m dash were again strong competitions for the Urban Knights. In the 60mH, four ART U runners qualified for the final round as Thomas, senior Jesseka Raymond, junior Dominique Berry, and junior Ashley Austin were all in the Top 10. Thomas led the way in both rounds with a #1 finish and times of 8.38 and 8.34 respectively (both among ART U's Top 5 All-Time Records). Thomas was again out in front during the 60m dash, boasting two more #1 placements with a 7.58 prelim qualifying mark followed by a 7.41 in the finals. The 7.58 time was already the lowest in program history, but the 7.41 time becomes a new record for Academy of Art.

For the third consecutive week, senior Jazmin White turned in a new personal record in the 400m dash. On this occasion, she sprinted to a 57.68 time which ranks second in program history. Also joining White in the 400m were sophomores Chantel King and Heather Castro. The 200m dash featured Raymond crossing the finish line in 13th place of 27.

The Knights' distance crew was also in action highlighted by two strong performances from senior Kristen Sanzari and sophomore Kylie Long in the 800m. Sanzari finished 11th (2:18.84) for a new ART U indoor record while Long came in as the 17th place finisher in a 30-athlete field. Senior Stacey Toth was also a participant in the 1 mile.

As the lone ART U jumper Saturday, Austin snagged a 16th place finish in the long jump.

In an exciting finish to the day's events, Academy of Art had two teams toe the line in the 4x400m relay with White, Berry, King and Thomas combining to set another program record (3:51.32). The foursome of Long, Raymond, Austin, and Sanzari were also among the race's competitors.

"The women's team had a great overall day," head coach Charles Ryan said. "All five ladies made the hurdle finals, Vashti continues to display her dominance, even in events that are not her specialty, but the most impressive feat today was the women's 4x400m. They gave UCLA a real run for their money and battled the whole time. That was a big mental test for us and they passed. Dominique Berry ran a great leg; this was her beat meet of the season."


Men's senior distance runners Amos Maru and Daveson Marindich returned to their dominant ways after taking 1st and 2nd respectively in the 3000m. Maru's time of 8:33.45 was a new program record while Marindich's 8:41.14 mark is the third lowest for the Urban Knights.

In the 800m, sophomore Hamza Bouchafra had his season's first competition for Academy of Art not only go well, but his 1:57.27 mark now ranks first overall for ART U indoor track & field. Seniors Simon Mutai and Kennedy Kurgat also partook in the event. Rounding out the distance races, freshman Jack Nevins took 17th in the 1 mile.

Sophomore Reneilwe Aphane executed a 3rd place triple jump with his 47-9.75 mark. Aphane continues to dominate the Urban Knight record books this season as his distance Saturday becomes a new #1 for the program.

In the sprint events, the ART U trio of freshman Jaylon Hicks, senior Emil Tolliver, and junior Erik Piedad posted solid times once again in the 60m dash. All three qualified through the preliminaries with Hicks taking 3rd (7.01), followed by Tolliver (7.08) and Piedad (7.36). The final race saw Hicks finish 5th (7.02) while Tolliver added another 7.08 and Piedad dropped to a 7.28.

Junior Gavin Robertson highlighted the 200m and 400m dashes with two marks which each rank in the Top 5 all-time for Academy of Art. For the 200m, Robertson turned in a 22.44 that is fourth in program history, but he trumped numerous times with his 50.14 in the 400m which is now second-lowest in the record books. Piedad also participated in the 200m.

Just one more indoor track meet remains before the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships at the end of the month. ART U will send its teams to Seattle, WA for the three-day Husky Classic/University of Washington Indoor Open on Feb. 10-12.