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NEW ORLEANS  --  Jared Belardo was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Midwest Region Division I Indoor Field Athlete of the Year, it was announced by the organization today.

"I am overwhelmed with how wonderful this is for Jared Belardo," said Steve Rainbolt, Director of Track and Field/Cross Country. "This is an absolutely spectacular honor for a fabulous young athlete, and his development this year has been truly remarkable. I am so happy for him and for his jumps coach Heidi Yost." 

Belardo, a freshman from Leavenworth, Kansas, won both the long jump and the triple jump at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. His school-record 7.86m (25-9½) leap to win the long jump moved him to No. 9 in the nation, and his 15.84m (51-11¾) triple jump earlier this season was a school record.

He will compete in the long jump at the NCAA Championships March 11-12 in Birmingham, Ala., as the only freshman in the competition. WSU's Breanne Borman will also compete in the event for WSU on the women's side in the Pentathlon, an event in which she holds the school record.

Each of the nine regions honored both men's and women's top track athletes and field athletes, and the top men's and women's head coaches and assistant coaches. Award winners were determined by a vote of USTFCCCA member coaches. Only those individuals from USTFCCCA member programs are eligible for awards.