NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Trine's Jeffery Barnett finished as the national runner-up in the long jump Friday at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field National Championship at North Central College.
Barnett (Fremont, Ohio / Fremont-Ross) earned the first All-America honor of his career with a 7.18 meter (23 feet, 6.75 inches) effort in the long jump. The effort earned the sophomore a second-place finish, just 0.17 meters (7.75 inches) behind the national champion. Barnett's finish is the highest by a Trine track and field performer since 2008. He is the school's first ever All-American in the long jump.
"Jeffery is an outstanding athlete who asked what he needed to do in order to become an All-American," said Rod Waters, head coach of Trine's track and field teams. "We set the plan back in November and he has worked very hard daily to perfect his skill as a long jumper. I could not be more proud and excited for such a resilient individual in his first appearance at the Indoor National Championship."
The All-America honor wraps up a well-decorated 2016-17 indoor campaign that also saw Barnett earn USTFCCCA Great Lakes Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year and MIAA Most Valuable Field Athlete honors. Barnett earned All-MIAA honors in two events, was named All-Great Lakes Region and earned recognition as the USTFCCCA National Field Athlete of the Week. His best jump this season was ranked seventh in the history of Indoor Division III Track and Field.
CLICK HERE for complete national championship results.
The Trine men's track and field team opens the outdoor season Saturday, Mar. 18 at the Rose Hulman Early-Bird Invitational.