Wheeling, W. Va. – On Friday, the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coach's Association (USTFCCCA) Announced their Regional Awards. Wheeling University Men's Track & Field athlete Jabez Reeves was honored in the Atlantic Region, being named the Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year. Reeves was one of two representatives for Wheeling at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field National Championships and had a breakout year for the Cardinals in his sophomore season.
Reeves competed in three different tack events for the Cardinals throughout the year, running in the 60-Meter Dash, 200-Meter Dash, and as the first leg in the Men's 4x400-Meter Relay. While he hit the NCAA Provisional Mark in all three events, he really shined in the 60-Meter Dash. He broke the school record in the event three times during the season, with his fastest mark being a 6.76 that he set at the Ashland University Alumni Invitational. Reeves also tied the school record in the 200-Meter Dash this season at the Kent State Invitational when he ran a time of 21.65 seconds. He won two MEC individual championships this season, taking home the title in the 60-Meter and as part of the 4x400 Meter Relay team and was named the MEC's Men's Track Athlete of the Year.
Reeves gives all the credit to his faith as it helps motivate him to be successful every single day.
"Until the spirit is poured upon us from on high, be immovable, be selfless, be grounded in who you are, be you, be one in a million, be a genuine person," said Reeves about winning the award.
He competed in the 60-Meter Dash at the NCAA National Indoor Track & Field Championships last time out, competing against some of the top runners across Division II. He was in the third heat of the event, competing against runners from Ashland, West Texas A&M, and Tusculum among others. He finished fifth in his heat, and 15th in the country, in the event, running a 6.81. He fell .05 seconds shy of his top performance of the season, but in just his sophomore year got great experience that he can build off of for years to come.
Reeves was a three-time MEC Indoor Track Athlete of the Week Award winner this season and was consistently one of the top sprinters on the team. He picked up five first place finishes in the 60-Meter Dash during the season, while picking up several top three finishes in events throughout the season. He has written his name in the Cardinals' record books in two separate events and helped the Cardinals relay team become one of the best in the conference. He was one of six Cardinal Men to be named to the USTFCCCA All-Region team and looks to carry this momentum with him into outdoor season.
However, the thing that Wheeling Head Track & Field Coach Patrick Stanton is most proud of is Reeves's dedication to his craft and his ability to be coached every single day.
"We didn't need to wait for this award to be announced to be proud of everything Jabez accomplished this indoor season," said Stanton. "He's broken two individual school records and was a big part of the school record 4x400 relay. Any way you look at it, he has set the standard for us, and helped us bring our program to a new level. He worked so hard to get to this level, and he did everything our sprints coach, Jada Baker, and I asked him to from the moment he got to campus this year. Most importantly, he's incredibly humble, and a young man of faith and high character."
Reeves and the rest of the Wheeling University Track & Field season continue their outdoor season when they head to the Bethany College Invitational on Saturday, March 26th, in nearby Bethany, West Virginia.
