2013 Adams State Early Grizzly Open Results

Alamosa, CO – Debuting at Adams State's High Altitude Training Center, Academy of Art University Track & Field provisionally qualified three individuals for four NCAA Nationals events on Saturday. Dinesha Bean led the way in the 60m hurdles and 200m dash for the first look at the Urban Knights women's squad who made NCAA history last year by winning back-to-back indoor-outdoor national titles. The dynamic duo of Shaquille Howard (400m) and Johnny Carter (triple jump) made strong statements with their provisional qualifiers as well.

"It was great to finally get back to competition mode," head coach Charles Ryan said. "The fall is so long and to get a chance to break the monotony and go get some real races in is always a good thing. Having said that, I think we learned a lot today and nothing was more evident that we have a lot of work to do. These early season meets are a great measuring stick. We have such young teams this year on both genders it was nice to witness how they handled themselves."

On the women's side, Bean, one of two seniors on a relatively young indoor squad, offered a strong start with two NCAA provisional qualifying times in the 60mH and 200m. A relatively small contingent in the 60mH was led by Bean's 8.44 mark while the Memphis, TN native was first of a field of 15 in the 200m with her 25.20 time.

The 400m dash saw Mistic Scott and Keanna Moody place third and fourth at 58.60 and 59.96 respectively.

An early look at the foursome of Bean, Scott, Dierra Haven, and Moody came in the women's 4x400m relay which the Urban Knights won at 4:01.06.

"Dinesha Bean and Mistic Scott were the highlights for the women today," Coach Ryan said. "Bean punched her ticket to NCAA's in the 60mH and was not far off her lifetime best. Mistic showed that she is a tough competitor and handled all her races very well today. Once the gun went off, she rose to the moment and fought. That's not something you see in every athlete and definitely not often in a freshman."

After only competing in the outdoor season last year, Jasmin Guinn had a chance for her first long jump of her indoor collegiate career and went 16-7.75 in her second attempt.

For the men, Howard picked up where he left off in the 400m as a freshman, finishing first of 16 with a NCAA provisional qualifier (49.06) on Saturday. He was more than 0.70 ahead of his nearest competitor and was the only provisional mark of the day in that event.

Like Howard, Carter was right back at it with solid performances in both horizontal jumps at the Early Grizzly Open. His highlight, an NCAA provisional qualifier in the triple jump, came as a 48-4.5 mark turned in on his second attempt. Additionally, Carter placed second in the long jump after his 22-8 distance was hit in his opening jump.

"Johnny and Shaq came in and did what was expected; provisional qualifiers from young men of their talent are to be expected," Coach Ryan said. "I liked how Shaq took control of the race and followed the race plan. For Johnny, I was happy he was able to deliver a quality jumping day considering he is very behind in training. Overall it was a good effort by both of them."

Competing in his first collegiate track and field meet, Marlon Britton burst out with a quick start as he set the new program record in the 60m hurdles with an 8.49 time. Fellow freshman Quinlan Wright was not far behind his teammate, turning in an 8.51 mark in the event.

Ronald Spears, Jr. was a busy man on Saturday, contending in two 60m dashes, the 4x400m relay, and the long jump. He was the lone Urban Knight to qualify to and compete in the finals of the 60m where his prelim time of 7.09 was only slightly better than his 7.10 mark in the finals. Teaming up with Howard, Wright, and Alexander McNally, Spears, Jr. helped ART U's squad finish second overall in the 4x400m at 3:36.09.

"Many people got a wake up call today and that's never a bad thing when it happens this early in a season," Coach Ryan said. "Better now than later. We will get back to work next week and head into winter break knowing that everyone needs to step up to the standard."

This, the first ever competition at Adams State's just completed High Altitude Training Center, was an important starting point for ART U and Coach Ryan offered a positive review of the venue and meet itself.

"Adams State has an amazing new facility; the surface is fast and the turns are very favorable for a 200m flat track," Coach Ryan said. "It's a beautiful venue and we are honored to be among the first teams to help break it in. Teams should expect a lot of great performances coming out of Alamosa, CO this season and beyond. We thank the Adams State staff for the invitation and their fantastic hospitality. They are doing great things out there."

This meet, which stands alone in the month of December, serves as merely a preview for Academy of Art as the bulk of the indoor season will take place in January-March. Next up for the Urban Knights will be two days of the UAB Blazer Invitational on Jan. 10-11 in Birmingham, AL.