BEVO BEAT Track & Field
Okolo named semifinalist for Bowerman Award
Posted June 15th, 2016
Courtney Okolo was named a semifinalist for the 2016 Bowerman Award by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Wednesday.
Okolo joins nine other female student athletes in competition for the most prestigious award in college track and field.
The NCAA champion in the 400 meters broke her own outdoor record this year, running a 49.71 in April at the LSU Alumni Gold meet. She became just the third woman to run a sub-50 in the month of April. Her 50.36 at the NCAA Championships earned her the sweep for the indoor and outdoor 400 meters event.
Okolo’s anchor leg in the 1600 relay at the NCAA Championships helped the Longhorns win the outdoor title to go along with their indoor championship.
In the Big 12, Okolo won her third straight title in the 400 meters and helped Texas win the team title with her performance in the 400-meter relay.
Okolo was also a semifinalist in 2014 and advanced to be one of three finalists. This year’s three finalists will be announced on June 23.
The award is named after Bill Bowerman, former coach of the Oregon Ducks and co-founder of Nike. Six Olympic medals were won by past winners and finalists at the 2012 London Olympics.
2016 Bowerman Women’s Semifinalists (listed alphabetically)
Courtney Frerichs, New Mexico
Shamier Little, Texas A&M
Maggie Malone, Texas A&M
Courtney Okolo, Texas
Keturah Orji, Georgia
DeAnna Price, Southern Illinois
Raven Saunders, Ole Miss
Dominique Scott-Efurd, Arkansas
Ariana Washington, Oregon
Kendell Williams, Georgia
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