Chelanga Remains on 2011 Bowerman Watch List
2/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Official Website of The Bowerman
Liberty redshirt senior distance runner Sam Chelanga remains a part of the men's watch list for the 2011 awarding of The Bowerman, as announced today by The Bowerman Men's Watch Committee, in conjunction with the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Chelanga has been busy and successful during the indoor track & field season, running impressive times in the mile, 5K and 3K in consecutive weeks.
The Nairobi, Kenya native opened his season on Jan. 21, when he clocked a personal-best 4:03.84 mile to win at the Hokie Invitational. He ranks No. 21 nationally in the event.
Seven days later, Chelanga thrilled his home fans with a 13:41.35 effort in the 5K at the Liberty Open. His time, which is the fastest in the world for 2011, broke the Tolsma Indoor Track Center record and qualified him for the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Chelanga then traveled to Boston for the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday. Competing against some of the world's finest distance runners, he finished fourth in the 3K, with a time of 7:48.24. The fastest 3K by a collegiate athlete this year eclipsed both the Liberty and Big South Conference records for the event.
This Saturday, Chelanga is scheduled to run another 3K, at the Flotrack Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. He will run at 7:50 p.m. Eastern, and the race will be video streamed live by Flotrack.
About The Bowerman
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009, is presented annually to the top male and female collegiate track & field athletes in the nation. Oregon's Ashton Eaton and Virginia Tech's Queen Harrison are the reigning winners of The Bowerman, which is named for legendary Oregon track & field/cross country coach Bill Bowerman.
The Bowerman Advisory Board appointed four of its members to comprise The Bowerman Men's Watch Committee and another four of its members to make up The Bowerman Women's Watch Committee. The committee will release its next men's update on March 2. The three men and three women finalists will be named in late June.
The Bowerman Official Watch List, 2011 Men
(Updated Feb. 9, 2011, listed in alphabetical order)
Name, Year, School, Events
Jeshua Anderson, Sr., Washington State, Hurdles
Robby Andrews, So., Virginia, Distance
Sam Chelanga, R-Sr., Liberty, Distance
Will Claye, Jr., Florida, Jumps
Jeff Demps, Jr., Florida, Sprints
Mason Finley, So., Kansas, Throws
Marquise Goodwin, So., Texas, Jumps/Sprints
Walter Henning, Sr., LSU, Throws
Kirani James, So., Alabama, Sprints
Christian Taylor, Jr., Florida, Jumps
Also Receiving Mention
Andy Bayer, R-So., Indiana, Distance
Charles Clark, Sr., Florida State, Sprints
Derek Drouin, Jr., Indiana, Jumps
German Fernandez, Jr., Oklahoma State, Distance
Leford Green, Jr., Johnson C. Smith, Sprints
Torrin Lawrence, Jr., Georgia, Sprints
Dorian Ulrey, Sr., Arkansas, Sprints
Craig Van Leeuwen, Jr., Ramapo, Pole Vault
