Zips continue to earn MAC honors

By Feben Yeshak, [email protected],edu

MAC continues to honor Zip student-athletes for the work they do in Track and Field.

The week of April 28 belonged to Zip’s junior Shawn Barber and sophomore Clayton Murphy, who were able to earn titles this past weekend at Drake Relays held at Drake University.

In pole vault, Barber and Sam Kendrick both cleared 5.82 meters on their first attempt. However, at the next height set at 5.87 meters, Barber was able to clear the height, while his opponent, Kendrick, failed to clear it.

During the next height, Barber reached his limit in the competition of 5.92 meters and was unable to clear it. However, if the junior were able to clear the vault that height would be the new record for collegiate indoor pole vaulting.

“It was a good test for the middle of the outdoor season and it gave me an idea of where I am compared to a lot of world-class athletes. For that, I am very grateful,” Barber said to the media afterwards.

On the track, Murphy recorded a win in the men’s 800 meter with a time of 1:47.81. This is the second best time in the programs history.

“This was my first time ever being at Drake, so it was a great opportunity. Especially coming down the home stretch and hearing the big crowd. Then, after you’re done, it’s even a bigger applause, and you get the Drake flag. It was pretty cool,” Murphy told media after his win.

This season, the Zips have been honored with 22 student-athletes being named to the list of MAC Track and Field Athletes of the week and for Barber this is his sixth while Murphy has five honors.

This weekend, Barber and Murphy and the rest of the Akron track and field team will compete in the Longhorn Invitational held in Austin, Texas and at the Jesse Owens Memorial Classic in Columbus, Ohio.