106th Millrose Games - Long Jump Results
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New York, NY -- Holding her own against some of the top long jumpers in the world today, Academy of Art University's Vashti Thomas earned a 3rd place finish in front of 2012 NCAA Champion/Nike representative Whitney Gipson as well as Jessie Gaines at the 106th Millrose Games inside The Armory. The ART U senior posted her farthest mark of the season (20-7.25) in her final of six attempts to offer a strong national showing for the Urban Knights.


"[This experience] was awesome," Thomas said. "Competing for the Academy of Art University is always amazing. To me, it just shows the world that I'm more than an athlete and I'm more than an artist."

"The Milrose Games is an American tradition, a tradition that now includes Vashti Thomas and Academy of Art University," head coach Charles Ryan said. "It's such an honor simply to be invited."

Coming out of the gate strong, Olympic bronze medalist Janay DeLoach's 21-10 (6.65m) led the quintet of jumpers after their respective first attempts. Thomas would rise from 4th to 3rd after round two, however, offering a jump of 20-0.75 (6.11m) to put her behind DeLoach and Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese.

"Competing against Ms. Reese is an amazing opportunity it's not every day I get to have such amazing competition," Thomas said. "I think competing with her and other pro athletes is just getting me ready for the next stage in my career."

Thomas fell back to 4th following round three when Gaines came through with a 20-1.5 (6.13m). The San Jose, CA native responded to the challenge and retook 3rd following a 20-4.5 (6.21m) in the fourth round. DeLoach and Reese were entrenched in 1st and 2nd at that point, having gone 22-7.75 (6.90m) and 22-5.75 (6.85m) respectively.

But Thomas saved her best for last and soared to the 20-7.25 (6.28m) mark that now serves as her best of the season.

"As far as the competition, Vashti had her best performance of the season in the long jump and continues to put things together in preparation for the NCAAs," Coach Ryan said. "She is so focused on her goals and no goal is bigger for her than delivering for her teammates. This weekend, once again she represented them and ART U on a world stage and I could not be prouder or more humbled to call my self her coach."

If you missed today's live broadcast on ESPN 3, remember that you can catch the rebroadcast either online here (coverage at 43:20 and 49:28) or on ESPN2 tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT).