Essayi Named to The Bowerman Watch List

COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 2, 2023) – South Carolina sophomore distance runner Anass Essayi has been named to The Bowerman Pre-NCAA Indoor Championships watch list, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) announced on Thursday afternoon.

The Bowerman debuted in 2009 and is named after former Oregon Head Coach Bill Bowerman and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female NCAA track & field athletes in the nation.

Essayi is the third male Gamecock to be named to the coveted Bowerman Award watch list, joining Quincy Hall (2019, 2020) and Johnny Dutch (2010).

The Morocco native was tabbed to the All-SEC First Team after winning the SEC Men’s Mile (4:01.20) for the second consecutive year. Essayi holds the South Carolina Indoor program record in both the mile (3:50.46) and the 3,000-meter race (7:41.93).

Essayi made his season debut at the Columbia Challenge in New York City, setting the program record in the 3K (7:41.93) on his way to a victory for the Gamecocks. Two weeks later, the Morocco distance runner set the program record in the mile (3:50.46) at the David Hemery Invite with the fourth-fastest mile in the world and the top mile in the NCAA this season.

Joining Essayi on The Bowerman Award Watch List are: Mykolas Alekna (California), Drew Bosley (Northern Arizona), Sean Burrell (LSU), Cameron Crump (Mississippi State), Kyle Garland (Georgia), Elija Godwin (Georgia), Sondre Guttormsen (Princeton), Dylan Jacobs (Tennessee) and Ayden Owens-Delerme (Arkansas).

South Carolina is back in action next week, Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11 when the Gamecocks travel to Albuquerque, N.M. for the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships.