2018 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships Results (Day 2)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carrying the momentum from an
impressive first day of the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships, Academy of Art University Track & Field had two of its Urban Knights hoist All-American trophies on Friday at Johnson C. Smith's Irwin Belk Complex.
Gatien Airiau's first career All-American honor was a memorable one as he was crowned national champion in the 3000m steeplechase while
Hannah Hensley finished the heptathlon with a win in the 800m, taking second overall at the end of seven events.
In a race that was tightly bunched throughout with plenty of jockeying and even bloody legs, Airiau remained in the top three for the entirety of the 3000m steeplechase final. He moved into first by the 600m mark, briefly dropped to third by 2200m, but after stepping on the gas in the final 600m, he had an incredible finish. The Sassenage, France native unleashed a thrilling 62-second close over the last 400m, fending off Chico State's Kyle Medina for an 8:47.99 across the finish line.
"What a time to be alive!" said Airiau. "I just stayed relaxed and executed the way I wanted to throughout. Down the stretch, I could feel Kyle Medina and others, but it reminded me of a scenario I faced at the PacWest Championships so I knew I could push from 600 out and that I would be strong enough to hold it. I've done it so many times in practice; recognizing those important checkpoints like the bell and final water jump, then I just gave it everything I had at the end."
"When Gas came to ART U, one of the things he said he wanted to work on was his kick," said director of track & field/cross country
Torrey Olson. "He worked hard on it this year and before the race we talked about how he was prepared to run the final however it played out. That let him trust his instincts and focus on competing. I am so proud of how he ran and that he will finish his collegiate career as a national champion."
Tied with Angelo State's Kami Norton with 3121 points apiece after the first day, Hensley started the final events with the long jump. The Pinehurst, N.C. native posted her best jump of the day on her final attempt, flying to an 18-1 (5.51m) for eighth overall in the competition. Though she would drop to third-place overall, Hensley made a move up second in the heptathlon after a 101-1 (30.82m) on her first javelin throw.
"The coaches and I make a great team," said Hensley. "We both have put in a lot of effort these past four weeks to prepare for Nationals and it definitely paid off."
Finally, Hensley took an early lead in the 800m, pacing the 15-competitor field prior to halfway through. She would make one final push down the last straightaway to cross the finish line first with a lifetime-best 2:17.92. Two-day, seven-event point totals reflected second place for Hensley as her 5168 mark tied her with
Jesseka Raymond (
2013) for the program's highest event finish ever.
"The 800m has the ability to make you or break you in the heptathlon," said Hensley. "Knowing this normally adds a bit a pressure, however, because of the training I have been doing these past few weeks, I felt really confident going into the race. When I stepped onto the line, I knew I was in second place and I made a conscious decision to not allow a bad 800m race to take that away."
"Hannah competed really hard this weekend and showed a ton a progress and maturation throughout her events," said assistant coach
Akil Gipson. "A couple didn't go her way, but she stuck in there and fought until the end. I'm really happy with the heptathlon, but we are definitely hungry for more for her senior year."
In the men's 200m prelims,
Mobolade Ajomale claimed second out of his heat for one of two automatic qualifiers for Saturday's final, finishing with a time of 20.90 behind Pitt State's NaRon Rollins (20.73). Ajomale would depart the prelims fourth overall as one of four sprinters running sub-21.00 in the prelims.
Marion Presigny posted a new lifetime-best in the prelims of the 100m hurdles to also qualify through to the final. She went a wind-legal 13.71 for third in her heat and seventh overall.
"Hannah, Marion, Bolade, and Gas highlighted a great day two for our program today," said Olson. "Everyone competed well and I'm proud of their efforts."
The triple jump saw
Rian Young-Werner save her best attempt for her last, offering a 39-7.75 (12.08m) for third after her flight. However, she would end up being pushed to 10th overall, one place shy and a little less than two inches of qualification for the event final.
"I'm really proud of Rian and the work she has put in this year," said Gipson. "Unfortunately, she hit the injury bug at conference, but she gave herself a chance and that's all I can ask for as a coach."
Just three hours after finishing her last three events of the heptathlon, Hensley returned for the high jump where she placed 14th overall with a clearance of 5-6 (1.68m).
Several championships will be determined tomorrow on the final day of the Outdoor Nationals. The action will begin with the finals of the men's 4x100m relay (12:25 p.m. PT) followed by the women's 100mH (1:15 p.m. PT), men's 100m (1:45 p.m. PT), men's 200m (2:50 p.m. PT), and the men's 5000m (3:10 p.m. PT).
