Thursday, May 26, 2011

Valparaiso senior Jarrett Mickens (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) brought the Crusaders' 2011 outdoor season to an end Thursday, as well as his decorated career in a Crusader uniform, as he placed 27th in the long jump at the NCAA East Preliminary Round in Bloomington, Ind.

Mickens, who was seeded in a tie for 34th among the 48 competitors in the east prelims entering Thursday's competition, improved on his seed position by seven spots with a leap of 23'6 3/4” (7.18m).  The senior's best leap came on his first of three jumps, with his final jump coming up just two inches short of his first effort.

Mickens closes his Crusader career as the school's all-time record holder outdoors in the long jump, as well as indoors in both the long and triple jumps.  As a senior, he earned Horizon League Male Field Athlete of the Week honors a league-best five times and was named the league's Most Outstanding Field Performer at the Indoor Championships.