2022 Hillsdale Wide-Track Invitational Results

HILLSDALE, Mich. – Several names were elevated in not only the Academy of Art track & field record book, but also among NCAA Division II Indoor Nationals provisional qualifiers at the Hillsdale Wide-Track Invitational inside Margot V. Biermann Center on Friday. Among the Nationals provisionals were Natalia Novak's near full-second improvement in the 800m, Selena Arjona-Alcazar's huge personal record in the 60m, and Ombretta Picciolie Minkue Meye joining her fellow sprinter in the nation's top eight in the event.

"The effort and focus on execution everyone showed today was great," said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Kevin LaSure. "I am extremely proud of the way the team as a whole competed today. Hopefully we can carry that momentum over to tomorrow's competition as well."

After she ran her fastest time to date (7.60) in the 60m prelims, Arjona-Alcazar dropped even further with a blistering final, winning both on the day. The Panama City, Panama native posted a 7.55 mark which put her fourth in program history and sixth in the country. Slightly behind Arjona-Alcazar, Minkue Meye delivered a pair of season-bests, going 7.62 in the prelims before a near photo finish at 7.57 in the final. She is now eighth among NCAA DII sprinters.

For her second 800m race in as many weeks Novak was way in front of her competition, clocking in at 2:12.61 which converted to down to 2:11.10 for track size. The personal record upped her to fifth in the nation in the event and brought her just over a second off the ART U record. Novak could have looked back to see teammate Lina Hanich crossing the finish line in second overall with an 800m debut time of 2:17.06.

"Natalia is developing better racing tactics which has helped to support her early season success," said Assistant Coach Bruce Jackson.

Members of the Urban Knights' 2021 PacWest Championship cross country team continued to shine Friday as Delanie Dykes went 5:05.50 in her first indoor mile with the program. The effort made her the day's runner-up by less than half a second and started her at fifth in Academy of Art history.

The men's 60m was also dominated by ART U with Ajani Ince winning both the prelims (7.11) and final. He led a trio of Knights with personal records, going 7.01 while Daquan Berry came across at 7.12 and Shareez Hamm followed slightly at 7.13.

In his indoor track & field debut for Academy of Art, Saba Khvichava finished second of 10 in the 800m with a time of 1:57.99. Cross country teammate Hudson Lockette was also a runner-up after he offered a time of 4:22.95 in the mile.

ART U will be back in action for the Hillsdale Wide-Track Classic tomorrow once again inside Margot V. Biermann Center.