The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Okolo on latest Bowerman Watch List heading to postseason
05.18.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Sprinter among nation's elite track stars
AUSTIN, Texas – With NCAA Championships fast approaching the USTFCCCA announced its latest Bowerman Women's Watsh List on Wednesday and Texas senior Courtney Okolo remains among the 10 student-athletes up for college track and field's biggest honor.
Okolo shattered her own collegiate record in the 400 meters in April and this weekend she won her third consecutive Big 12 Conference title in her event while also finishing third in the 200 meters. Okolo also ran on the victorious 4x100 meter relay squad at the Big 12 Championship.
Okolo ran 49.71 seconds at the LSU Alumni Gold in April to shatter her previous collegiate record of 50.03 seconds, set in 2014. She is one of only three women to ever run a sub-50 time in the Month of April. That time also gives Okolo three of the top six outdoor times all-time in the college ranks.
Nine other stars in the sport join Okolo on the Pre-NCAA Watch List for the Bowerman Award. Okolo grabbed her second straight indoor title in the 400 meters at the NCAA Championships and helped the Longhorns claim back-to-back titles in the 4x400 relay as well.
During the outdoor campaign so far this year, Okolo has helped the Longhorns run the No. 2 time in the NCAA in the 4x400 meter relay. The time of 3:26.54 also ranks sixth in school history. She also ran on the 4x100 team that posted a time of 43.55 to rank seventh in the NCAA.
Recently at the Drake Relays, Okolo helped the women's team tie for the coveted Hy-Vee Cup that goes to the top relay program at the meet. Okolo helped Texas win the 4x100 and finish second in the 4x400. She also ran on the 4x800 relay. Texas tied with Baylor for the Hy-Vee Cup with 26 points over the five eligible relay races at the meet.
Okolo ran the fastest time in the world indoors this season, clocking 50.69 seconds to win the NCAA title and rank No. 3 all-time in collegiate history. She also helped the Longhorns successfully defend their 4x400 title. With Okolo running anchor this year, Texas posted two times this year that rank in the top six in collegiate history.
At the Big 12 Conference Indoor Championship, Okolo pulled off the 200/400 double winning both events handily.
Okolo was a finalist for the 2014 Bowerman after breaking the collegiate record outdoors with a time of 50.03 seconds. She will again look to be one of the final three student-athletes up for the award in 2016.
Created in 2009, The Bowerman, named after legendary former coach of the Oregon Ducks and co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the nation and has been called by some "The Heisman Trophy of Track and Field."
Since the award's inception, the USTFCCCA has recognized a number of athletes who are among the best in the world today. Past winners and finalists combined to win six medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
2016 Bowerman Women's Pre-NCAA Watch List (listed alphabetically)
Felicia Brown, Tennessee
Akela Jones, Kansas State
Shamier Little, Texas A&M
Cindy Ofili, Michigan
Courtney Okolo, Texas
Keturah Orji, Georgia
DeAnna Price, Southern Illinois
Raevyn Rogers, Oregon
Raven Saunders, Ole Miss
Kendell Williams, Georgia
Also Receiving Votes: Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Kentucky), Courtney Frerichs (New Mexico), Taylor Ellis-Watson (Arkansas), Lexi Weeks (Arkansas)
Players Mentioned
