2017 NCAA Division II National Championships Results

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Second time's the charm.

After helping Academy of Art University cross country make history as a team last year, graduate student Gatien Airiau became the third Urban Knight ever to earn All-American honors on the men's side (22nd overall) at this year's NCAA Division II National Championships. Braving cold, windy, and wet weather at the Angel Mounds course, Airiau and sophomore Swann Phelippeau were in action early Saturday morning in the drama-filled season finale.

"Gas has matured a lot as a racer from last year and it showed today," said director of track & field/cross country Torrey Olson said. "The truth is, at NCAAs, everybody hurts. And in a field of many talented guys, all in pain, it's often the mind that makes the difference. Gas came in knowing he wanted to become an All-American and the result was never in doubt."

Utilizing his experience from 2016 throughout, Airiau kept himself among the top 30 of 249 runners for the duration of the men's 10k. Three kilometers in, the Communications & Media Technologies major was 29th overall and proceeded to move up five more spots by the halfway mark. He dropped to 30th approaching the final 2k, but saved his best for last as he jumped ahead of eight others to 22nd by the finish line with a time of 31:34.7. The result was a full 50 spots better than his placement a year prior.

"That was a very consistent race," said Airiau. "I came into Indiana with a solid race at Regionals and I really wanted to confirm and close this season with the All-American honor. It's a great feeling. I'm proud of what we achieved this year with the whole team and coaches."

Airiau was the second-highest finisher to place from the PacWest and fourth from the West Region. James Ngandu (30:18.8) of Tiffin literally ran away with the individual title while No. 1 Adams State captured its fifth team championship in the past six years. The Grizzlies topped No. 3 Grand Valley State and No. 2 Colorado Mines.

The women's 6k was an absolute battle among nearly 250 runners. Through the first kilometer, Phelippeau found herself in 81st overall, but one kilometer later, she moved up to 71st. Her largest jump was at the midway point when she passed 20 others to sit in 51st. The Ploeren, France native continued to climb, going as high as 47th by the 4k mark. Though she dropped briefly to 50th heading into the home stretch, Phelippeau was able to pass three more individuals for 47th across the finish line with a time of 21:51.9. It was her third-fastest time of the season.

"Swann ran well in only her first NCAA Cross Country Championship," said Olson. "She is not used to being so far back, but stayed composed and moved up very well. While she wasn't quite able to come away with All-American honors, this will be a great experience for her in future years."

Phelippeau, the PacWest Newcomer of Year, was the fifth-highest runner to place from the Pacific West Conference and 17th from a talent-loaded West Region (five in the top 10 overall). The individual victor was Alaska Anchorage's Caroline Kurgat (20:32.2) and No. 3 Adams State (126) secured its second team title in the past three years ahead of No. 5 University of Mary (137) and No. 1 California Baptist (148).

Both Phelippeau and Airiau will return to action for Academy of Art's 2017-18 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.