Masai Russell, a hurdler from the University of Kentucky, has made history as one of the 10 athletes to be named to the mid-indoor edition of The Bowerman Watch List by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. The Bowerman is the top award for track and field athletes in the nation, and Russell’s inclusion in the Watch List is a testament to her exceptional abilities.
Russell earned her place on the Watch List by breaking the collegiate record for 60-meter hurdles on January 20, 2021, at the Red Raider Open in Lubbock, Texas. With a time of 7.75 seconds, she surpassed the previous record of 7.78 seconds set by Grace Stark of Florida and Brianna Rollins of Clemson. This achievement also allowed Russell to surpass the Kentucky standard of 7.87 seconds set by Keni Harrison, an Olympic medalist.
In recognition of her outstanding performance, Russell was named co-NCAA Division I Women’s Athlete of the Week by the USTFCCCA and SEC Runner of the Week. This honor adds to Russell’s growing list of accomplishments, which include being a silver medalist in the 60 hurdles at the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships and earning silver in the 4×100-meter relay and bronze in the 100m hurdles at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Russell is an 11-time All-American and has won one silver and four bronze medals at Southeastern Conference championship events.
Russell is the ninth woman from Kentucky to make the Watch List and joins a group of elite athletes that includes past UK finalists for The Bowerman – Keni Harrison, Sydney McLaughlin, and Abby Steiner, who won the award in 2022. The next Watch List is scheduled for March 1, and the anticipation for Russell’s continued success is at an all-time high.
In conclusion, Masai Russell’s inclusion in The Bowerman Watch List is a testament to her exceptional abilities as a track and field athlete. Her record-breaking performance and numerous accomplishments make her a top contender for the award, and fans are eager to see what she will achieve next.