University of Southern Maine student-athlete Zoe Barnes, a nursing major from New Gloucester, Maine, won the NCAA Division III national championship in the shot put on Saturday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama.

A fifth-year senior, Barnes secured the title with a throw of 14.84 meters, breaking her own University of Southern Maine program record. With the victory, Barnes became the third woman in program history to win an NCAA Division III national championship, joining Peyton Dostie, who won the pentathlon in 2016, and Sophia Slovenski, who won the javelin in 2021.

Barnes took control of the competition early. Her opening throw of 14.10 meters immediately placed her in the lead. After fouling on her second attempt, she followed with a throw of 14.49 meters to remain at the top of the leaderboard entering the finals.

Head coach Rob Whitten said Barnes' composure played a major role in her performance.

"With the experience of competing there before, she was more prepared than I've seen previously," said Whitten. "Even dealing with travel challenges getting to the meet, she stayed calm and focused. Her warmups were impeccable, and that gave her the confidence she was ready to compete."

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