Academy of Art University Women's Cross Country

Nkosinza Balumbu began as Academy of Art University track & field assistant coach in December 2019. Authoring impressive efforts throughout their indoor and outdoor journeys, the Academy of Art track & field team delivered 38 All-American honors, Pacific West Conference titles in 12 different events, two top 15 team finishes at Outdoor Nationals, and a NCAA Division II National Championship for Shareez Hamm in the outdoor 400m hurdles in 2023-24. The Urban Knights marked their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns by producing a total of 12 new school records (four indoor, eight outdoor) along the way. Strong results for the ART U men's team led Balumbu to be named 2024 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. Delivering impressive performances throughout its indoor and outdoor campaigns, the 2022-23 Academy of Art track & field season was highlighted by 34 All-American honors, Pacific West Conference titles in 11 different events, a fourth-place finish for the men at Indoor Nationals, and Marie-Jeanne Ourega capturing two NCAA Division II Long Jump National Championships. The Urban Knights highlighted their respective indoor and outdoor schedules by producing a total of 11 new school records (four indoor, seven outdoor) along the way. The team's success led Balumbu to be named 2023 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. Featuring impressive performances throughout full indoor and outdoor schedules, the 2022 Academy of Art University track & field season was highlighted by two individual NCAA National Champions (Marie-Jeanne Ourega in the outdoor long jump and Mathieu Tshani in the outdoor triple jump), 32 All-American trophies, and Pacific West Conference titles in nine different events. The Urban Knights marked their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns with a total of 17 new school records (six indoor, 11 outdoor) along the way. The season culminated with the first time in program history that both the men and women finished in the top 10 at Outdoor Nationals. The campaign included Balumbu being named 2022 USTFCCCA West Region Outdoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year. Delivering some incredible performances amid a limited schedule and other challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Academy of Art track & field season triumphantly featured three individual NCAA Division II National Champions (Marie-Jeanne Ourega in the outdoor long jump and James Young in the indoor mile and outdoor 1500m), 22 All-American trophies, Pacific West Conference titles in 13 different events, and a total of nine new school records (three indoor, six outdoor) along the way. The campaign included Balumbu being named 2020-21 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Women's Assistant Coach of the Year. Following her impressive collegiate debut, Marie-Jeanne Ourega placed second overall in the long jump at the 2021 French National Championships with a 21-4 (6.51m) mark that ranks second in all of France heading into the 2022 campaign. In addition to Ourega's success, Balumbu coached American professional long jumper Malaina Payton, whom he also coached when she was a student-athlete at Cal, to a 15th-best world ranking in the long jump with a distance of 22-7 (6.89m) at the Chula Vista Field Fest in May 2021. A roster of fresh talent mixed with the postseason experience of many returners as the Academy of Art track & field squad penned its 2020 chapter. The entry could not be fully completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a total of seven All-Americans, 26 All-Region honors, and six new school records still highlighted the program's abbreviated season. Joining the Urban Knights from NCAA Division I Cal State Northridge, Balumbu brought 10 years of coaching experience ranging from the high school to the collegiate levels. He serves primarily as the jumps coach for ART U. In two seasons as an assistant coach with Cal State Northridge track & field, Balumbu worked with 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Brianna Rollins and Dalilah Muhammad. As the jumps coach for both the men’s and women’s teams, he helped five student-athletes to six top-three results at the Big West Championship including Ahmed Mohamed’s 2019 Big West title in the triple jump. Beyond his work in the field, Balumbu also developed and directed the strength and conditioning program for the jumps. Working specifically with the women’s track & field team at Laney College in Oakland, Balumbu coached the Eagles’ jumps, sprints, and hurdles student-athletes. After his individuals placed first and second in both the long jump and triple jump events at the Northern California Junior College Championships, Laney went on to place second as a team at the NorCal Championships and fifth at the California Junior College State Meet with just five women on the roster. Prior to Laney, Balumbu was an assistant coach for UC Berkeley from 2014-16 after serving as a volunteer assistant during the 2013 season. Balumbu instructed both the men's and women's jumpers and also instructed the multi-event student-athletes in their speed and jump work. At the 2015 NCAA Outdoor Championships, Balumbu guided freshman Walter Jones IV to a seventh-place finish in the long jump with a lifetime best jump of 25-7 (7.79m) earning him first team All-American status. In 2014, Hammed Suleman won his third consecutive Pac-12 conference long jump title with a mark of 26-0 (7.93m) and also gained a lifetime best triple jump of 53-4 (16.27m) during his time at Cal. Suleman went on to represent Nigeria in the Commonwealth games later that summer.   On the women's side, Balumbu coached Isabella Marten to the 2016 MPSF and Pac-12 triple jump titles. Marten also gained two First Team All-American honors with seventh-place finishes at both the 2016 NCAA Indoor and 2016 Outdoor Championships. She jumped a lifetime best of 43-8 (13.4m) at the 2016 Outdoor Championships.   Cal’s Malaina Payton was helped by Balumbu to a MPSF indoor championship in the long jump in 2014. She finished her career with a lifetime best leap of 21-1 (6.44m) and placed 11th at the 2013 USA Outdoor Championships. In 2013, Amanda Hunter improved tremendously within a short time, elevating her personal best triple jump to 43-3 (13.19m) at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. She followed that performance by finishing 12th at the USA Outdoor Championships.   During Balumbu's time as a student-athlete at the University of Arkansas, he won five SEC titles in the triple jump and was a seven-time All-American while being coached by Hall of Fame coach Dick Booth. He captured the 2008 NCAA triple jump title, which made him the last individual national champion for the now retired legendary head coach John McDonnell. Balumbu was a 2008 and 2012 Olympic Trials Qualifier in the triple jump, achieving his highest finish of sixth place in 2012. Balumbu earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Arkansas in 2009.   A USATF level 2 certified coach and a track & field academy certified strength and conditioning coach, Balumbu hails from Union City, Calif., and graduated from James Logan High School, where he won two state triple jump championships (2004 and 2005). He returned to James Logan in 2010 to begin his coaching career. Coaching Honors at Academy of Art 2024 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year 2023 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year 2022 USTFCCCA West Region Outdoor Men's Assistant Coach of the Year 2020-21 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Women's Assistant Coach of the Year

Kevin LaSure was named Academy of Art University director of track & field/cross country in July 2018 after three years as the program's track & field head coach since August 2015. Authoring impressive efforts throughout their indoor and outdoor journeys, the Academy of Art track & field team delivered 38 All-American honors, Pacific West Conference titles in 12 different events, two top 15 team finishes at Outdoor Nationals, and a NCAA Division II National Championship for Shareez Hamm in the outdoor 400m hurdles in 2023-24. The Urban Knights marked their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns by producing a total of 12 new school records (four indoor, eight outdoor) along the way. Strong results for the ART U men's team led LaSure to be named 2024 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year. With half of its total roster debuting this fall campaign, Academy of Art men's and women's cross country took important steps forward in 2023. Multiple Pacific West Conference Runner of the Week honors highlighted the Urban Knights' journey toward the postseason where both teams finished among the top seven at the PacWest Championships and two standouts, Katharina Goetschl and Grace Southern, went on to become All-West Region Team honorees. Delivering impressive performances throughout its indoor and outdoor campaigns, the 2022-23 Academy of Art track & field season, LaSure and his coaching staff's eighth leading the way, was highlighted by 34 All-American honors, Pacific West Conference titles in 11 different events, a fourth-place finish for the men at Indoor Nationals, and Marie-Jeanne Ourega capturing two NCAA Division II Long Jump National Championships. The Urban Knights navigated their respective indoor and outdoor schedules while producing a total of 11 new school records (four indoor, seven outdoor) along the way. Top 10 results for the men's team at both Indoor and Outdoor Nationals led LaSure to be named both 2023 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year and USTFCCCA West Region Outdoor Men's Coach of the Year. Each step of the 2022 Academy of Art men's and women's cross country season built more confidence as the Urban Knights steadily progressed through four meets comprised of strong opponents toward the postseason. Top-six performances by both teams at the Pacific West Conference Championships then gave way to more important experience at NCAA Division II West Regionals for two contingents of younger ART U squads poised to write the programs' respective next chapters. Featuring impressive performances throughout full indoor and outdoor schedules, the 2022 Academy of Art University track & field season, LaSure and his coaching staff's seventh at the helm, was highlighted by two individual NCAA National Champions (Marie-Jeanne Ourega in the outdoor long jump and Mathieu Tshani in the outdoor triple jump), 32 All-American trophies, and Pacific West Conference titles in nine different events. The Urban Knights marked their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns with a total of 17 new school records (six indoor, 11 outdoor) along the way. Culminating with the first time in program history that both the men and women finished in the top 10 at Outdoor Nationals, the campaign included LaSure being named both 2022 USTFCCCA West Region Outdoor Women's Coach of the Year and 2022 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year. In 2021, the first Academy of Art cross country season in two years was a truly memorable one as the Urban Knights positively progressed to several historic achievements in October and November. The women's team achieved its first Pacific West Conference title, they joined the men in collecting All-Region honors two weeks later, and emerging from the women's first NCAA Division II Nationals appearance was the second All-American in program history in 2021 PacWest Runner of the Year Natalia Novak. Delivering some incredible performances amid a limited schedule and other challenges surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Academy of Art track & field season, the sixth under LaSure and his coaching staff, triumphantly featured three individual NCAA Division II National Champions (Marie-Jeanne Ourega in the outdoor long jump and James Young in the indoor mile and outdoor 1500m), 22 All-American trophies, Pacific West Conference titles in 13 different events, and a total of nine new school records (three indoor, six outdoor) along the way. The campaign included LaSure being named both 2020-21 USTFCCCA West Region Indoor Men's & Women's Head Coach of the Year. A roster of fresh talent mixed with the postseason experience of many returners as the Academy of Art track & field squad penned its 2020 chapter. The entry could not be fully completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a total of seven All-Americans, 26 All-Region honors, and six new school records still highlighted the program's fifth season guided by director of track & field/cross country Kevin LaSure and his coaching staff. As the baton passed metaphorically and literally from several stellar veterans to many young talents, the 2019 Academy of Art University track & field season featured large contingents at both NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Nationals, nine PacWest champions, three individual NCAA National Champions (including two more for eventual ART U Athletics Hall of Famer Mobolade Ajomale), and 24 All-America selections. The Urban Knights highlighted their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns with a total of 19 new school records (seven indoor, 12 outdoor) along the way. In terms of team finishes, the men took fifth and the women were 19th at Indoor Nationals then the men were ninth at Outdoor Nationals. LaSure's campaign included him being named 2019 USTFCCCA Indoor West Region Men's Coach of the Year. Breaking out with one of its strongest collective campaigns to date, the 2018 Academy of Art University track & field season featured the largest number of qualifiers for NCAA Indoor Nationals, 10 PacWest champions, five individual national titles (four for PacWest Male Athlete of the Year and Division II National Track Athlete of the Year Mobolade Ajomale), and 21 All-America selections. The Urban Knights highlighted their respective indoor and outdoor campaigns with a total of 20 new school records (12 indoor, eight outdoor) along the way. On the men's side specifically, the team finished eighth at Indoor Nationals and seventh at Outdoor Nationals. LaSure's campaign included him being named 2018 PacWest Men's Coach of the Year. Moving into the Urban Knights' 2017 track & field campaign, LaSure along with director of track & field/cross country Torrey Olson and their coaching staff saw their teams combine to set a total of 19 new school records (eight indoor, 11 outdoor). Highlights included three NCAA National Championships and USTFCCCA DII Indoor Track Athlete of the Year for Mobolade Ajomale (indoor 60m, 200m, and outdoor 100m), 13 total All-Americans across both seasons, and the teams' top three finishes at the PacWest Championships. On the men's side specifically, the team finished fifth at Indoor Nationals and 19th at Outdoor Nationals. LaSure's campaign included him being named 2017 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Women's Head Coach of the Year. In 2016, LaSure collaborated with Olson and their coaching staff to produce the two highest men's team finishes to date (third indoor, fourth outdoor) and 21 new school records (six indoor, 15 outdoor). LaSure's campaign included him being named 2016 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Track & Field Head Coach of the Year. Spending his previous eight years at the University of New Haven, LaSure served his first four seasons as the head coach for both the men and women's programs. As a head coach, LaSure mentored 52 NCAA National qualifiers, 45 NCAA All-Americans, and five Individual National Champions. Additionally, the Chargers set more than 50 school records in the sprints, jumps, hurdles, mid-distance, and relays under LaSure's tenure. In just his second season at UNH, LaSure coached arguably the most successful student-athlete in the history of Charger athletics. Shannon Gagne won five NCAA Division II Individual National Championships during the year, three during the indoor season and two at the outdoor championships. She was the first student-athlete in NCAA track and field history to win three national championships at one meet across both track and field events when she won the 200m dash, 400m dash and long jump at the 2011 Indoor National Championships. Gagne was named the Division II National Track Athlete of the Year after the indoor and outdoor season, while being named Capital One CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year for the College Division, an award which encompassed all NCAA sports.   During his UNH tenure, LaSure also mentored 2012 graduate David Thomas to All-America honors in the long jump in both the indoor and outdoor track seasons. Thomas was the USTFCCCA East Region Track Athlete of the Year in the indoor season and claimed NE-10 Championship Most Valuable Athlete honors during both seasons. Overall throughout the 2012-13 year, Thomas was a five-time conference champion, five-time All-New England performer, and eight-time USTFCCCA All-East Region recipient. A 2004 graduate of University of New Haven with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice - Investigative Services, LaSure also completed a Master's degree in Labor Relations at UNH in 2006. As an undergraduate, Kevin was a wide receiver on UNH's football team from 2000-2003 and ran on the Charger track & field team from 2001-2005. He won the track team's Sportsmanship Award in both 2004 and 2005, and was an All-New England performer in the 200m and 400m dashes as well as on the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams. Coaching Honors at Academy of Art 2024 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year 2023 USTFCCCA DII West Region Outdoor Men's Coach of the Year 2023 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year 2022 USTFCCCA DII West Region Outdoor Women's Coach of the Year 2022 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Coach of the Year 2020-21 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's & Women's Head Coach of the Year 2019 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year 2018 PacWest Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year 2017 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Women's Track & Field Head Coach of the Year 2016 USTFCCCA DII West Region Indoor Men's Track & Field Head Coach of the Year