FREELAND, Mich. -- Trine's Jeffery Barnett was named the MIAA Most Valuable Field Athlete, the conference announced today.
Barnett (Fremont, Ohio / Fremont-Ross) won the long jump with a meet record distance of 7.22 meters (23 feet, 8.25 inches). He won the event by a half-meter. In addition to his success in the long jump, Barnett won gold in his first collegiate performance in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.68 seconds. The sophomore also placed second in the 60-meter dash with a personal-best time of 7.10 seconds.
The MIAA Field MVP is selected by the conference's coaches. Barnett was named the MVP in a unanimous decision. Barnett helped lead the Thunder to a second-place finish in the conference. The honor adds to his accolades this season, which also include MIAA Field Athlete of the Week and USTFCCCA National Athlete of the Week recognition.
Barnett is poised to make his first appearance in the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Barnett ranks second in the nation in the long jump with his school-record jump of 7.61 meters (24 feet, 11.75 inches). The national championship field will be announced Monday, Mar. 6.
Thunder performers will compete in last-chance meets next weekend to solidify potential bids to the national meet.