2017 University of Washington Invitational (Day 2)

SEATTLE – Back inside Dempsey Indoor for day two of the University of Washington Invitational on Saturday, Academy of Art University track & field offered several standout performances including Beatriz Martinez Mercado's new program record in the indoor 800m and Mistic Scott's NCAA provisional qualifying time in the 400m.

"It was good to get another weekend of competition under our belts for the season," said head coach Kevin LaSure. "With this being only our second weekend of competition thus far, there were a lot of things we still needed to work on in a meet setting."

Martinez Mercado, who had run just over 2:20.0 in her 800m indoor debut at the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartan Invitational, took a big step forward with a 2:16.08 on Saturday. The time was the lowest in program history and put her among the top 30 in the country based on the previous weeks' results.

"Beatriz had a great race in the indoor 800m and a huge improvement from her first meet two weeks ago," said LaSure.

The third time was the charm for Scott in the 400m as she delivered a 56.83 good for the NCAA Nationals provisional qualifier. She ended up placing fifth of 49 and Schae Graham was not far behind in 11th with her own season-best 57.15.

"Mistic and Schae ran well in the 400m with their best times of the young season so far and Mistic hitting a provisional qualifying time," said LaSure.

In the women's 60m hurdles, Marion Presigny went 9.07 for 13th of 37 to just miss qualifying for the prelims by 0.02. Chandler Johnson competed in the mile for the first time as an Urban Knight and posted a 5:15.29 for second all-time in program history.

On the men's side, Quinlan Wright handled every challenge thrown his way in the 60m hurdles. Initially having to qualify for the prelims, he placed second of 20 competitors with a time of 8.42. He then dropped down to an 8.34 for seventh among 19 in the prelims. His third and final time competing on Saturday saw him go 8.32 for seventh once more. The time was just 0.01 above his career-best achieved at the Towson Tiger Invitational on Jan. 14.

The men's 3000m featured strong efforts by both Gatien Airiau and Pierre Fontanarosa. The tandem placed 44th and 45th respectively out of 77 with Airiau going 8:26.32 and Fontanarosa posting a personal record 8:27.07 for fourth on ART U's all-time list.

"The goal from here is to continue to get better each week and work out all of the kinks before NCAAs in March," said LaSure.

Next week, Academy of Art will make its first-ever appearance at the Hillsdale Wide Track Classic in Michigan. The two-day meet takes place Feb. 3-4.