The University of Akron Athletics
Shawn Barber Named MAC Men's Field Athlete of the Week
January 15 | Track & Field
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AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron freshman Shawn Barber, who is the No. 1 pole vaulter in the country entering the week, has been named Mid-American Conference Men's Field Athlete of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.
Barber hit the ground running in his first collegiate meet last Friday night at the Eastern Michigan University Triangular by smashing the school record in the pole vault. The native of Kingwood, Texas, jumped a winning height of 18-04.50 to surpass the previous standard of 18-02.50, which was originally established by five-time All-American John Russell in 2006.
Barber's huge jump is believed to be the seventh-best, dual meet jump in NCAA history and is three and three-quarters inches better than any other Division I athlete (Jack Whitt, Oral Roberts, 18-01.75) in 2013.
After opening the season on the road, Barber and the rest of the Zips men's and women's teams will begin their home schedule Friday night in a dual meet against Kent State. Field events will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Stile Athletics Field House with running events scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m.
