AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron freshman Shawn Barber claimed the Canadian Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the men’s pole vault Saturday in Moncton, New Brunswick.
Barber captured the title with a top jump of 17-08.50 (5.40m). Jason Wurster, from the University of Toronto, finished runner-up with a clearance of 17-04.50 (5.30m). With the win, Barber, a Texas native who owns dual citizenship, earned the right to represent Canada at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, in August.
Saturday’s achievement added to what has already been a tremendous year for the true freshman from Kingwood, Texas. In his first collegiate season, Barber swept the Mid-American Conference pole vault titles, placed fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships and took third at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Last March, he became Canada’s national pole vault record holder with a jump of 18-08.75 (5.71m) at the Texas Relays. Also competing Saturday at the USA Championships, Zips junior Brittany Funk placed 12th in the women’s hammer throw with a mark of 208-05. Recapping from late Friday night, freshman Trevor Norris placed fourth in the junior division of the 10,000-meter run with a time of 32:27.63.
FROM: http://www.gozips.com/sports/track/2012-13/releases/201306229hd8fg
