Belt named Outstanding Big East Field Athlete

For the second time in less than a year, former Berkeley Springs High School standout Tone Belt has been named the Big East's Most Outstanding Male Field Performer at the conference track and field meet.

Belt led the Cardinals to a second place finish with victories in both the long jump and high jump. He also competed in the Triple Jump and earned a third place finish, to score 26 points at the Big East Conference Track and Field Championships held in Akron, Ohio on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18.

Along the way, Belt set two conference records. Belt, who remained undefeated this season in the long jump, soared to a school and conference record of 26 feet 1 inch. The jump bettered Belt's previous indoor best of 25-10.75 set last week in Arkansas.

"I had a lot of adrenaline in the long jump tonight, and I really like when the jumping areas are so close to the crowd like they are here in Akron," said Belt. "It's nice to get to 26 feet because I wasn't sure if I could get there indoors or not. Now, I have to set a higher standard for myself and I'm looking for mid-26 (feet) indoors and 27 feet outdoors."

Belt also established a Big East record in the high jump with a leap of 7 feet 3 inches, or 2.21 meters, eclipsing the old mark of 2.20 meters set in 1983 by Jim Hopson of Connecticut.

Belt also won the Most Outstanding Field Performer Award last spring at the Big East Outdoor Championship.

The Cardinals are scheduled to compete at the USA Indoor Championships in Boston on Saturday, February 24 and Sunday, February 25.