ART U Varsity Sports Update: Urban Knights Finish Strong
Their games were no Superbowl, but the Urban Knights still worked hard to give it their best shot.
Academy of Art University’s student-athletes had another exciting week in sports. Take a look below at their achievements from last week.
Men’s Basketball Wins Fourth Straight In Dominating Fashion
Academy of Art men’s basketball put its foot on the gas pedal from the opening tip with UH Hilo on Feb. 13 and never looked back, amassing a season-best 55 rebounds and shooting over 50 percent from the floor for the sixth time this season as ART U won its fourth straight by topping the Vulcans in Pacific West Conference action, 81-48.
Early Lead, Strong Finish Get Women’s Basketball Ninth PacWest Victory
In a battle of two teams very much contending for a spots in the Pacific West Conference Tournament, Academy of Art women’s basketball made its 5-1 run at the end of the first quarter the ultimate difference as the Urban Knights never trailed and held off UH Hilo in the late stages for a 56-47 victory inside Walter Gleason Gym on Feb. 13. Both freshman forward/center Christy Ojide and junior guard Lauryn Manns scored season-highs while adding important defensive contributions in the rematch as well.
Tyson Invite, Gorilla Classic Conclude With Strong Efforts From Track & Field
At both the Tyson Invitational and Indoor Gorilla Classic on Feb. 11-12, Academy of Art track & field collected numerous Indoor Nationals provisional qualifications inside the country’s top 25. Among the highlights were two individual top seven marks for Selena Arjona-Alcazar who tied the program record set by multi-time Hall of Famer Vashti Thomas in the 60m (7.40) and moved up in the 200m (23.34) plus reached top 11 in the country with her teammates in the 4x400m, Yacouba Gnacko (triple jump) and Marie-Jeanne Ourega (long jump) solidifying themselves among the nation’s top three, and the women’s distance medley relay entering the top seven in NCAA Division II.
Baseball Collects Hits But Only Split With Seawolves
Though Academy of Art baseball wasn’t able to hold an initial 3-0 lead against Sonoma State in game one of a Feb. 12 doubleheader, with SSU storming back for an 8-4 victory and series win, ART U would not go home empty handed after using a pair of three-run innings to snatch a 7-1 win in the shortened second game.
Academy of Art University is the only higher arts education institution in the U.S. to have an NCAA Division II athletics program—14 varsity athletics teams representing in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. Learn more about the Academy’s robust athletics program from our admissions representatives. Apply now to get started on working towards your dream art and design career.
Hero image of Women’s Track & Field – Marie-Jeanne Ourega by Ariana Celifarco
