2016 The Bowerman Award CeremonyDec 17, 2016 by Taylor Dutch
Courtney Okolo, Jarrion Lawson Earn Bowerman Awards
Courtney Okolo, Jarrion Lawson Earn Bowerman Awards
After outstanding seasons, Courtney Okolo and Jarrion Lawson won the Bowerman Award.
Courtney Okolo and Jarrion Lawson claimed the coveted Bowerman Award Friday night in Orlando, Florida. The honor was given to both athletes based on their standout performances during the 2016 NCAA track season.
After beating out Olympians Keturah Orji and Raven Saunders, Okolo earned the honor by ending her career at the University of Texas in stunning fashion with four NCAA titles and the outdoor collegiate record. During the indoor season, Okolo lowered her world lead with an indoor personal best of 50.69 to claim the NCAA Indoor Championship crown. In the same meet, Okolo anchored the Longhorns to another NCAA title in the 4x400m relay. She also contributed to Team USA's gold medal in the 4x400m at the World Indoor Championships.
Okolo kicked off the outdoor season by breaking her own college record with a stunning 49.71 at the LSU Alumni Gold meet. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Okolo claimed the 400m and 4x400m titles once again. Her winning time of 50.36 in the 400m is the 10th-fastest time in collegiate outdoors history.
Lawson beat out 15-time NCAA champion Edward Cheserek and 800m collegiate record-holder Donavan Brazier for the Bowerman. Before graduating from Arkansas, Lawson matched Jesse Owens' legendary performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He won the 100m, 200, and long jump and became the second athlete in history to accomplish the feat behind Owens. Along with his indoor long jump title, Lawson earned four NCAA crowns in his senior season.
He also scored All American finishes in the 4x100m and indoor 60m for the Razorbacks. Lawson's total score of 31.5 points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships is the most earned by any man in the modern era of the meet.
After beating out Olympians Keturah Orji and Raven Saunders, Okolo earned the honor by ending her career at the University of Texas in stunning fashion with four NCAA titles and the outdoor collegiate record. During the indoor season, Okolo lowered her world lead with an indoor personal best of 50.69 to claim the NCAA Indoor Championship crown. In the same meet, Okolo anchored the Longhorns to another NCAA title in the 4x400m relay. She also contributed to Team USA's gold medal in the 4x400m at the World Indoor Championships.
Okolo kicked off the outdoor season by breaking her own college record with a stunning 49.71 at the LSU Alumni Gold meet. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Okolo claimed the 400m and 4x400m titles once again. Her winning time of 50.36 in the 400m is the 10th-fastest time in collegiate outdoors history.
Congrats to #TheBowerman16 women's winner Courtney Okolo of @UTexasTrack!
— The Bowerman (@thebowerman) December 17, 2016
STORY: https://t.co/TX8pGg1Abt pic.twitter.com/Xecw3ZGRbk
Lawson beat out 15-time NCAA champion Edward Cheserek and 800m collegiate record-holder Donavan Brazier for the Bowerman. Before graduating from Arkansas, Lawson matched Jesse Owens' legendary performance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He won the 100m, 200, and long jump and became the second athlete in history to accomplish the feat behind Owens. Along with his indoor long jump title, Lawson earned four NCAA crowns in his senior season.
Jarrion Lawson (@J_Lawson_) of @RazorbackTF fame wins the 2016 The Bowerman Award for the men. #TheBowerman16 pic.twitter.com/YY23wTykb1
— The Bowerman (@thebowerman) December 17, 2016
He also scored All American finishes in the 4x100m and indoor 60m for the Razorbacks. Lawson's total score of 31.5 points at the NCAA Outdoor Championships is the most earned by any man in the modern era of the meet.