Academy of Art University Athletics

Graduate student and PacWest Newcomer of the Year Gatien Airiau was a major contributor to the Urban Knights' history-making effort on Nov. 5 at the NCAA Division II West Regional Championships. Finishing 14th overall, Airiau helped Academy of Art qualify its first collective team to NCAA Nationals.

Airiau's time of 30:35.9 through the 10k race had him four spots ahead of No. 16 California Baptist's top finisher Valentin Robert and led ART U to the team's fourth place out of 25 teams, one spot ahead of the Lancers for the first time to date. Both he and his teammate graduate student Pierre Fontanarosa were named All-Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) after finishing in the top 25.