POCATELLO, Idaho – Treyshon Malone has been named an All-American for his performance in the long jump during the 2019-20 indoor track and field season. With the award, Malone joins an elite group of Bengal track and field athletes.
Malone is the first Bengal since the 2012 season to receive the honor when Mike Arnold was named an all-American in the pole vault. With the award, Malone becomes the 27th men's track and field athlete in ISU history to earn the distinction.
Malone receives the award after being unable to compete in the long jump at the NCAA Indoor Nationals because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
"It's Awesome, when we were at nationals we got the news [about the cancellation of nationals}," said Head track and field coach Hillary Merkley. "It was super deflating in the room. You saw people everywhere just crying. We walked around and finished what we were doing and went to take a picture of Trey sitting on an empty podium. We went back to the hotel to wait for further instructions on what to do next. I went back to my room and cried and I know Trey went back upset and so was Joe. Not in a way that was angry but you feel defeated after working so hard and not being able to see it through. It is devastating. He was 9th in the country, and I'm glad that the NCAA chose to do it the way they have because it honors his accomplishments up to that point. He is very deserving, this is a big paycheck for all of his hard work and ups and downs over the years. I'm real proud of him for sticking with it and happy he is being recognized."
"Trey has done a lot of things for our program and we are lucky to have had him come here," continued Merkley. "He could have gone to a lot of other schools and he ended up coming here. We've been happy to have him and I think the program is headed in a good direction with him next year."
Malone wrote a thank you message after receiving the award.
" You know I wasn't expecting to be selected the way we were selected," said Malone "I honestly thought that they were going to just forget about the fact we made it to the national meet. When I found out I was selected as an All-American I was at work and I got the biggest smile on my face and I loudly said "are you serious? That's dope!" It's good to know that they didn't forget all of us athletes that made it and put in all the hard work to compete at one of the biggest stages of our lives. Being an All-American means a whole lot to me because it shows that I have been working hard to get that status and all of the blood, sweat, and tears aren't for nothing. It was one of my biggest dreams to be a part of this status and I finally did it. I am a Division 1 All-American and no one can take that from me.
I also just want to thank my mom and my dad for raising me right and always teaching me to never give up when the odds are stacked against me. I also want to thank my junior college coach Chad Harrison for building the foundation for me and shaping me into the long jumper I am today. I also want to thank Coach Hillary and coach Silvers for taking care of me and always making sure I am okay physically and mentally and then coaching me and helping me be the best I can be. I want to thank the trainers at ISU for dealing with me all the time I know I am a bother sometimes because of how much I am in there but you guys love me and you have one more year to deal with me.
Thank you to Tanner Conner for being the best training partner I could have. Without you pushing me I wouldn't have been able to reach half goals I have achieved. I want to thank my friend group Julian Aitken, Anthony Ricks, Tony Chavez, Caleb Brown, and Dom Antonacci. These guys have been by my side since I came to ISU and I couldn't be happier to call them my friends. I'm also thanking the women's basketball team for being one of my biggest support groups at ISU, love you guys for being genuine. I want to thank my teammates for pushing me at practice and never letting me slack off.
One of my last thanks is for all staff at ISU you guys are the best staff any college could have. You guys care so much for your athletes and it shows, we thank you guys a lot for all that you do for us. And lastly I want to thank ISU's sports media for always posting and keeping the content interesting and always showing love for athletes.
I can't wait to come back next year and finish what I started for outdoor season everyone stay safe and have a good summer. Go Bengals!"
Malone will return for next year's outdoor track and field season after having been granted an extension of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
