As a shy but motivated freshman, Hartford track and field student-athlete Latasha Jarrett overcame illness and injury and was voted the most valuable team member based on her spirit and work ethic. Four years later, Jarrett, a senior captain for the Hawks, delivered an MVP-worthy lesson on the importance of honesty.

It came during the 2008 America East Outdoor Track and Field Championships, at which she wanted to accomplish one goal: to qualify for NCAA regional competition in the high jump, her favorite event since high school. She placed second in the event during the indoor season, and though she would win the heptathlon by a comfortable 18-point margin at the outdoor championships, she kept her eye unflinchingly on capturing a berth in the high jump in the regional meet. To do so, she had to win the event.

After clearing an opening height of 5-0, she turned in a career best in the heptathlon’s 800-meter run, and then returned to the high jump. The official calling for competitors for the next height of 5-2 skipped Jarrett’s name. When she inquired about the oversight, the official told her she had already successfully cleared the height. Jarrett protested the mistake but the official insisted that he was correct. She was given a choice – jump or don’t jump.

Going along with the mistake offered an advantage of additional rest going forward, which could have improved her chances of winning. Nevertheless, Jarrett chose to jump. She finished third and consequently missed qualifying for NCAA regional competition.

As disappointed as Jarrett was, she said the decision to jump wasn’t a difficult one to make. Taking any other course would not have been fair to the other contestants, nor would she have felt good about herself or the situation.

For her effort, Jarrett was recognized as a divisional winner and one of six finalists – one male and one female from each NCAA division – for the 2008 NCAA Sportsmanship Award.

Though the extra attention that has come with the public recognition is not something she’s used to managing, Jarrett can certainly feel good about the example she has set.

“I consider myself to be kind of a humble person, so getting all the attention and all the congrats, that’s been a lot of extra attention I’m not necessarily used to,” she said. “I’m really proud to be able to represent my team, family and university.”

In fact, the specter of soiling the reputations of those very entities also played a significant role in Jarrett’s decision at the meet, and she hopes her actions emphasize the importance of competing honestly and fairly.

“You’re wearing a uniform with your school’s logo on it. I wouldn’t want the stigma of people saying, ‘oh, she lied,’” said Jarrett. “That wasn’t anything I wanted to carry with my name or the school’s name.”

Jarrett is finishing her first year of graduate work in physical therapy after completing a bachelor’s degree in health sciences at Hartford.

Click here to read about Einar Often, a divisional sportsmanship award winner from Alaska Fairbanks. For coverage of the sportsmanship award winners from Central Washington and St. John Fisher, click here.