2018 University of Washington Invitational Results (Day 1)

SEATTLE – On an abbreviated first day of action inside Dempsey Indoor, Academy of Art University track & field showed impressive performances from Gatien Airiau (5000m), Mobolade Ajomale (200m), and the women's Distance Medley Relay to start the University of Washington Invitational on Friday evening.

Running alongside Galen Rupp, Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon, and indoor 3000m champion Yomif Kejelcha, Airiau completed his first 5000m race of the season in a time of 14:34.48. The mark was a NCAA Nationals provisional qualifier and put him among the top 25 in Division II.

The men's 200m was highlighted by Ajomale who went 21.61 in his event-opening heat. Though not his fastest time of the season, it still earned him second of 50 competitors on the day. Christian Carter was the next fastest Urban Knight in 20th with a time of 22.72.

On the women's side of the 200m, Schae Graham led the way with a 22nd-place result out of 103 sprinters. She turned in a time of 25.47 and Jasmine Grace came in 12 spots back with a 25.82.

In the women's Distance Medley Relay, the team of Beatriz Martinez Mercado, Folke Woch, Ashley Brown, and Swann Phelippeau combined for the third-fastest time in program history, turning in a 12:13.86 for 14th of 24 teams in the competition.

The first men's DMR of the year saw Freddie Hessian, Kaze Poitier, Joshua Browne, and Victor Moreau post a 10:17.55.

"Today was in a lot of ways a good reminder for our DMR of all that can happen in that race and that's what we needed today," said director of track & field/cross country Torrey Olson. "I'm looking forward to returning to that event at Hillsdale. Gatien raced well in the 5000m and has more in the tank."

Academy of Art will return to Dempsey Indoor tomorrow for a busier day two of the UW Invitational. Action begins with the qualifying round of the women's 60m hurdles at 9 a.m.

"Not our best day, but it was good to get back on the track to compete," said head coach Kevin LaSure. "Should be a good tune-up for tomorrow's competition."