Georgia track star wins track and field’s version of the Heisman Trophy
Georgia track and field star Keturah Orji has been awarded The Bowerman, which is given each year to the top male collegiate student-athlete and top female collegiate student-athlete in the sport.
Orji is just the second female winner from the SEC since LSU’s Kimberlyn Duncan was awarded the prize in 2012. Orji was already the first three-time finalist in the history of The Bowerman for the women.
Orji edged Kentucky freshman Sydney McLaughlin and Arizona senior Maggie Ewen for track and field’s version of the Heisman Trophy.
The #Dawgs have their 1st @thebowerman winner & the #SEC has its 2nd female winner. The #NCAA Woman of the Year has received what was due!#GoDawgs #FindYourGreatness
— Georgia Track&Field (@UGATrack) December 21, 2018
>>https://t.co/CduBHdwPmL pic.twitter.com/S7pYwZc9Re
The Mount Olive, N.J.-native was 7-0 during her 2018 indoor and outdoor triple jump competitions, including setting American and collegiate indoor records (47 feet, 8 inches), a collegiate outdoor record (47-11.75) and capturing the SEC and NCAA indoor and outdoor titles in the event.
Orji, Georgia’s record holder for the long jump (22-4.25), helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to their first indoors NCAA team title in 2018.
Orji is currently pursuing a graduate degree at Georgia and is a volunteer assistant with the Bulldog track and field program.
