Belt wins national long jump title

University of Louisville sophomore, and Berkeley Springs High School graduate, Tone Belt added to his already impressive resume by winning the NCAA Division 1 Indoor long jump title at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Randall Tyson Track Center at the University of Arkansas on Friday, March 9,

Belt, who was just named the most outstanding field athlete in the Southeast Region the previous week, easily defeated the field of sixteen competitors who had qualified for the national meet. Belt's winning jump of 26 feet 1.75 inches, was a personal indoor best and five and one-half inches further than his nearest competitor.

Belt became the first University of Louisville track and field athlete to win a national title and brought back the schools first NCAA championship since 1986, when the men's basketball team won the NCAA title.

Belt, now a three-time All-American, was gracious in victory.

"My focus wasn't on winning a national title for me or my own personal record, it was about doing whatever I could for this program to succeed," said Belt prior to being awarded his national title trophy. "We had so many other athletes that were very close to getting here. This team is continuing to grow and improve and I can only imagine how far we can go over the next few years."

Belt also qualified in the high jump, but failed to place in the top eight.

Teammate Andre Black also claimed a title for the Cardinals, winning the triple jump on Saturday, March 10. Louisville scored 21 points to finish 10th in the nation.