NE10 40th Anniversary Home Page
The culmination of a Hall of Fame career led UMass Lowell’s Jacqui Barrett to an NCAA Shot Put Championship in 2010 – the crowning achievement for the two-time All-American during her time with the River Hawks.
On May 29, 2010, Barrett saved her best career throw for her last college competition during the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Johnson C. Smith University’s Irwin Belk Complex. Her second attempt of the day soared 50 feet, 8.25 inches, a school record and the first throw that eclipsed 50 feet in her career, leading her to the national title.
“After my first throw, I knew it was solid enough to get me to the final,” recalled Barrett shortly after winning her NCAA title. “I had it in my head that I was already there and I just needed to put it together….I knew how the other women could throw, but no one wanted this more than I did.”
Barrett became the third-ever national champion in the history of the UMass Lowell women’s track & field program and the third individual champion in NE10 history. Only Southern Connecticut’s Kateema Riettie and UMass Lowell’s Nicole (Plante) Hunt had won national titles in track & field as NE10 student-athletes prior to Barrett.
In a remarkable senior season, Barrett was named NCAA East Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year and earned runner-up in shot put at the NCAA Indoor Championships. She finished her time at UMass Lowell as a three-time All-New England performer.
She ended her career holding four NE10 records in shot put and as a four-time league champion. Barrett’s throw of 15.21 meters is still a league record in shot put at the NE10 Outdoor Track & Field Championship.
Barrett was inducted into the NE10 Hall of Fame in 2019 with her teammate Nicole (Plante) Hunt, as the duo both earned NCAA titles in their senior seasons.
Jacqui Barrett Links of Note:
- Jacqui Barrett National Championship Recap
- Boston Globe Piece on Barrett
- Barrett Named CoSIDA Academic All-America
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
