2017 Husky Classic (Final)

SEATTLE – A busy day inside the Dempsey Indoor saw Academy of Art University track & field once more offer a variety of highlights. NCAA provisional standouts included Schae Graham (400m), Mobolade Ajomale (60m), Pierre Fontanarosa (3000m), Quinlan Wright (60mH) and both 4x400m relays.
 
Graham was strong in the 400m where she finished third of 24 runners with a season-best 56.14. The time improves upon her NCAA provisional 56.75 (converted for track size) from last week and effectively moves her up into what should be the country's top 15.

"Schae ran well in the open 400m and well ahead of where she was at this point last season," said LaSure. "Hopefully we can put things together in the next two weeks and both she and Mistic [Scott] can qualify in the 400m at NCAA's."

The men's 60m was highlighted by Ajomale's fourth place 6.77 in the prelims then, running against several non-collegiate runners in the final, the redshirt sophomore once again dropped a personal record. Already second in the country, Ajomale's 6.73 in the final brought him to just 0.01 from hitting the auto qualifier.

"Bolade had his best race so far this season in the 60m and definitely improved on some things from his first meet of the season last week," said LaSure. "Hopefully we can build on these performances over the next few weeks and be ready to perform at our best at the NCAA Championships.

Ajomale would later join Quinlan Wright, Kaze Poitier, and Christian Carter in the 4x400m relay and together the team went 3:17.16 for a season-best and the men's first NCAA provisional this year.

On the women's side, Graham passed the baton between Marion Presigny, Mistic Scott, and Jasmine Grace for their own season-best 3:47.24 for fourth of 14 teams. The mark moves the quartet up likely into the nation's top 10.

"The 4x400m relays ran well today," said head coach Kevin LaSure. "Bolade ran a great leg on the men's 4x400 with a split of 46.8 seconds. The women all ran well on the relay and improved on their provisional qualifying time by three seconds."

In the men's 3000m, Fontanarosa delivered his best time as an Urban Knight, going 8:24.70 for what was also a NCAA provisional mark. His time remains fourth all-time.

Wright was once again in the finals of the 60m hurdles, posting an 8.25 to finish eighth of 27 in the prelims before tying his personal record with an 8.24 in the finals.

ART U's third and final day inside the Dempsey Indoor will be for Sunday's University of Washington Open which gets underway with both field and running events at 9 a.m.