2019 Grand Valley State University Lints Alumni Meet Results

Allendale, Mich. – Academy of Art track & field once again delivered multiple NCAA Division II Nationals provisional qualifiers with breakout performances from Rabah Houali (800m) and Camille Jouanno (Long Jump) at the Grand Valley State Lints Alumni Meet on Saturday afternoon.

"It was a step in the right direction," said director of track & field/cross country Kevin LaSure. "We still have a lot of things to work on in all areas, but overall it was slightly better than our previous meet as a team from an execution standpoint."

Coming off an indoor debut in which he impressively contributed to the team's 4x400m relay, Houali excelled in his signature event. He pushed to a time of 1:52.47 which was not only the best of the 33 runners in the meet, but made him a Nationals provisional qualifier, likely slotting him into the country's top 10 by the end of the weekend.

Jouanno also rode her own wave of momentum after posting the second-farthest triple jump in DII last week in New York. This time it was the long jump where Jouanno chose to make another national impact. Progressing with each of her first two attempts before soaring to an 18-11.75 (5.78m) mark on her third, Jouanno eventually placed first of 18 jumpers on the day and third all-time in program history with the provisional distance.
 
Additionally, Jouanno would put forth her best time in the 60m hurdles thus far in 2019. After getting into the final with the fifth-fastest prelim time, she cut 0.08 off her previous low with a 8.91 that had her third of eight in final.

In her first time contesting the mile as an Urban Knight, Hasna Kaarour offered the third-fastest mark in program history, going 5:00.15 for fourth of 39 at the meet. She ended up just 0.25 off of provisional qualification.

A special moment came for Academy of Art as four Urban Knights took the first through fourth finishes in the men's 200m. Led by Mobolade Ajomale's 21.67, the quartet was rounded out by Roshard Williams (22.42), Daquan Berry (22.58), and Arrun Palacio (22.65), securing the top spots in an event that featured 42 sprinters.

Runner-up finishes came for two ART U sprinters in their respective 400m dashes. For the women, Latavia Hawkins turned in a time of 57.84 for second of 23 while Christian Carter crossed the finish line at 49.62, earning him second-place in a field of 32.

Academy of Art also had two qualifiers from the 60m prelims to their respective finals. On the men's side, Berry placed ninth of 34 to start then finished seventh with a 7.21 in the event final. In her first collegiate action, Allysia Parry dropped to a 7.99 in the finals, finishing sixth overall after qualifying in seventh of 34 out of the prelim.

The Urban Knights return to the track next weekend for what will serve as a preview of the NCAA Division II Nationals venue. ART U enters into the Pitt State Invitational in Pittsburg, Kansas on Jan. 26.