2013 Boise State Jacksons/New Balance Invitational (Complete Results)

Nampa, ID --The Urban Knights' indoor track & field season continued to feature elite performances Saturday as two more of the nation's top triple jumpers were in action and several NCAA Division II provisional qualifying times came from Academy of Art University at Boise State's Jackson Indoor for the conclusion of the 2013 Jackson/New Balance Invitational.

Less than 24 hours after a magnificent long jump, senior Vashti Thomas was at it again in the triple jump on Saturday. The senior posted a 40-3.5 (12.28m) which not only built upon her mark from two weeks ago at the UAB Blazer Invitational, but also put her fourth overall in NCAA Division II. Thomas, who had already secured her place in the NCAA Indoor Championships for the triple jump, continued her own personal drive to improve and bested a group of Boise State Broncos in the process.

“The jumps to me meant that I'm on the right track to doing well at the NCAA meet,” Thomas said. “What is keeping me mentally focused is the end result of making it to Nationals and possibly winning a TEAM national title with my team. I just want to do all I can to put us in a good position.”

Thomas would also shine in the 60m hurdles where she qualified through the prelims with Dinesha Bean and came through with an 8.29 to complete a clean sweep of both races. Bean was right there with her, finishing 3rd in the finals (8.67) for the Provisional Qualifier with assistant coach Lauren Smith (8.39) running unattached in between. For all their success at these meets thus far, Thomas explained that the team's daily grind at practice was vital.

“Practice plays a huge part in all of this because, without it, I wouldn't have the power strength and muscle memory to properly execute my events,” Thomas said.

Freshman Johnny Carter's triple jump encore to yesterday's long jump was simply spectacular. Flying a clean 51-3 (15.62m), the freshman showed just how dangerous he could be as he surpassed his 50-9.25 mark at the UAB Blazer Invite that took the nation by storm.

"I feel very excited about being the top jumper right now," Carter said. "I know I cannot sleep on my competition or else my spot will be taken. My motivation builds each meet. I know I must protect my spot. If I train like a champ and keep faith, then sky is the limit."

Although he had already ensured his appearance in the event at the NCAA Indoor Championships, Carter's distance placed him 1st of 12 at the meet itself (which included top competition from Weber State and Sacramento State) and he cited the encouragement of his fellow team members as a critical part to his success.

"I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for my coaches and my amazing teammates clapping me into the pit," Carter said. "[This weekend], I felt better and a lot more focused on executing my jumps."

With a host of Urban Knights in the women's 400m dash, senior Briana Stewart led the charge with a 7th place finish and a time of 57.66. Keanna Moody was less than a second behind her teammate, delivering her lowest time of the season in the event with a 57.71 good for 8th place. Dominique Berry and Chantel King made it four ART U athletes in the competition's Top 12.

In united fashion, the foursome of Bean, Moody, Dominique Berry, and Chantel King worked together for a 3:48.30 in the women's 4x400m which put them 2nd in the meet itself as well as 9th currently in all NCAA Division II for another Provisional Qualifying time. The time was also the second lowest in program history.

In the men's sprint events, sophomore Jaylon Hicks paced a group of three Urban Knights (with Emil Tolliver and Keven Brown) qualifying for the finals of the 60m dash where Hicks finished 3rd overall with a 6.93. The 400m dash saw another impressive time from freshman Shaquille Howard, who also claimed 3rd in a field of 30 with his 48.10 mark.

The Urban Knights will next be in action the weekend of Feb. 8-9 when they partake in the Don Kirby Invitational & Open at the University of New Mexico and the Grand Valley State Meet with Multi's.