Courtney Okolo named to 2016 Bowerman Women’s April Watch List
AUSTIN, Texas –Senior Courtney Okolo continues to be recognized as one the of the elite stars in collegiate track and field. On Wednesday she was named to the first outdoor update to the 2016 Bowerman Watch List.
Okolo and nine other stars in the sport were named to the April Watch List for the Bowerman Award. She has taken the momentum of her second straight indoor title in the 400 meters and is running strong a month into the outdoor season.
So far outdoors, 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. Okolo will run her first 400 of the season this weekend at the LSU Alumni Gold.
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 Championships, 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 April 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
Demi Payne, Stephen F. Austin
Raevyn Rogers, Oregon
Molly Seidel, Notre Dame
Kendell Williams, Georgia
Also Receiving Votes: Kaela Edwards (Oklahoma State), Hannah Cunliffe (Oregon), DeAnna Price (Southern Illinois), Jaide Stepter (Southern California), Raven Saunders (Ole Miss)
