NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Wednesday afternoon that Tennessee senior sprint star Jacious Sears was one of 10 athletes named to the women’s watch list for The Bowerman award. The Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, makes her career debut on the watch list after clocking the second-fastest 100-meter dash in NCAA history on April 13 at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational.
The Bowerman award is the highest individual honor in collegiate track & field, presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female athletes in the nation. Sears becomes the fourth Lady Vol to appear on The Bowerman watch list, joining former UT standouts Felicia Brown (2016), Jackie Areson (2011) and Phoebe Wright (2010).
Sears put the world on notice last month with a lifetime-best clocking of 10.77 seconds, which currently stands as the fastest time in the world for the 2024 outdoor season. Her performance ranks second on the collegiate all-time list, only 0.02 seconds off the NCAA record of 10.75 set by Sha’Carri Richardson in 2019.
Also serving as the leadoff leg on Tennessee’s 4×100-meter relay this season, Sears most recently helped the Lady Vols improve their school record and collegiate leading time of 42.52 seconds. That mark leads the next closest school by more than half a second.
On the men’s side, Tennessee alum Christian Coleman (2014-17) won The Bowerman in 2017 following a historic season in which he captured four NCAA titles and set two all-time collegiate records in the indoor 60-meter (6.45) and outdoor 100-meter (9.82). Other Vols to appear on The Bowerman watch list include Dylan Jacobs (2023), Darryl Sullivan (2020) and Jake Blankenship (2016).
Sears is the fourth sprinter coached by Duane Ross to make an appearance on The Bowerman watch list. Former North Carolina A&T Aggies Randolph Ross Jr. (2022), Trevor Stewart (2019, 2020) and Kayla White (2019) were also previously recognized under Ross’ tutelage.
The Bowerman award is the highest individual honor in collegiate track & field, presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female athletes in the nation. Sears becomes the fourth Lady Vol to appear on The Bowerman watch list, joining former UT standouts Felicia Brown (2016), Jackie Areson (2011) and Phoebe Wright (2010).
Sears put the world on notice last month with a lifetime-best clocking of 10.77 seconds, which currently stands as the fastest time in the world for the 2024 outdoor season. Her performance ranks second on the collegiate all-time list, only 0.02 seconds off the NCAA record of 10.75 set by Sha’Carri Richardson in 2019.
Also serving as the leadoff leg on Tennessee’s 4×100-meter relay this season, Sears most recently helped the Lady Vols improve their school record and collegiate leading time of 42.52 seconds. That mark leads the next closest school by more than half a second.
On the men’s side, Tennessee alum Christian Coleman (2014-17) won The Bowerman in 2017 following a historic season in which he captured four NCAA titles and set two all-time collegiate records in the indoor 60-meter (6.45) and outdoor 100-meter (9.82). Other Vols to appear on The Bowerman watch list include Dylan Jacobs (2023), Darryl Sullivan (2020) and Jake Blankenship (2016).
Sears is the fourth sprinter coached by Duane Ross to make an appearance on The Bowerman watch list. Former North Carolina A&T Aggies Randolph Ross Jr. (2022), Trevor Stewart (2019, 2020) and Kayla White (2019) were also previously recognized under Ross’ tutelage.
THE BOWERMAN 2024
Women’s Watch List — Update #5, May 1
Lamara Distin, Texas A&M (Jumps)
JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina (Sprints)
Rachel Glenn, Arkansas (Hurdles/Jumps)
Jasmine Jones, Southern California (Sprints/Hurdles)
Brianna Lyston, LSU (Sprints)
Maia Ramsden, Harvard (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Michaela Rose, LSU (Mid-Distance)
Jaida Ross, Oregon (Throws)
*Jacious Sears, Tennessee (Sprints)
Parker Valby, Florida (Distance)
*watch…
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