2018 Husky Classic Results (Day 1)
SEATTLE – Academy of Art University track & field started the Husky Classic on absolute fire inside the University of Washington's Dempsey Indoor Friday as a new program record was set by
Beatriz Martinez Mercado,
Jasmine Grace,
Schae Graham, and
Swann Phelippeau in the women's Distance Medley Relay, another by
Gatien Airiau in the 5000m, and a season-best came for
Mobolade Ajomale in the 200m.
"The group that ran tonight really stepped up and set the tone for everyone else," said head coach
Kevin LaSure. "Bolade is starting to put together the 200m and did some things better than last time out in the 200m. I am extremely excited for the women's DMR we asked some of our women to run distances they don't normally run and they stepped up and did a great job."
Just one week after their program record in Hillsdale, the women's DMR found itself with slightly different personnel and the result was an impressive new record for ART U. Martinez Mercado opened with the 1200m, passed the baton to Grace for the 400m, Graham was up for a strong 800m, and Phelippeau closed the 1600m for the sparkling NCAA Nationals provisional 11:44.07 on the track. A 13-second drop from the previous top mark (11:57.36), the time put that quartet up into the top 10 in the country at the DII level.
"Beatriz did a great job putting us in a position to be successful on the 1200m leg and Jasmine ran a great 400m leg, Schae ran well on the 800m which is a distance she hasn't run all season, and Swann did an awesome job bringing it home for us," said LaSure.
In the men's 5000m, Airiau rose to just outside the country's top 10 with another program record. He posted a 14:15.79 to better his own personal best by nearly nine full seconds and make the 20-spot jump.
Right out of the gate in the first heat of the men's 200m, Ajomale confidently dropped not only the best mark of the day with a 21.37 in a race loaded with NCAA Division I talent, but he also ascended from fourth to second in the country with yet another Nationals provisional time. He currently sits just a fraction of a second behind DII leader Marcus Parker (21.36) from Eastern New Mexico.
A fuller day two of the Husky Classic opens tomorrow with the women's 3000m at 9 a.m. back inside the Dempsey Indoor.
