Ford Makes Second Round of Bowerman Watch List
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Feb. 28, 2024) – The reigning 200-meter and 4×400 relay SEC Indoor Champion remains a strong candidate on The Bowerman Watch List as South Carolina’s JaMeesia Ford was named to her second consecutive watch list. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Ford’s appearance on Wednesday 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.
Ford was named to the first Bowerman Watch List on Feb. 6 and is looking to become the first Gamecock in program history to win the award for either the men or women.
The Fayetteville, N.C. product is coming off a stellar SEC Championship debut in which she won a pair of events for the Garnet & Black. Ford clocked 22.36 to become Carolina’s first ever SEC Indoor 200m champion, tying Favor Ofili for the Randal Tyson Track Center facility record. Ford’s time of 22.36 is the fastest indoor 200m in Gamecock history and is currently ranked second in the world leaderboard. Ford has now qualified for three events at the NCAA Indoor Championship but will only compete in the 200m and the 4x400m relay. Ford ranks third all-time in Gamecock history in the indoor 400m with a time of 51.33 which ranks sixth in the NCAA and 15th in the world.
Ford capped off the 2024 SEC Indoor Championship with a gold medal in the 4x400m relay, running the anchor leg in a split of 49.80. Ford aided South Carolina in earning its first 4×400 SEC crown since 2009. The quartet of Zaya Akins, Jahnile Registre, Jayla Jamison and Ford ran in a time of 3:26.05 for a new Gamecock indoor record.
Joining Ford on the second updated version of the Bowerman Watch List are: Lamara Distin (Texas A&M), Jasmine Jones (Southern California), Brianna Lyston (LSU), Olivia Markezich (Notre Dame), Hana Moll (Washington), Maia Ramsden (Harvard), Michaela Rose (LSU), Ackelia Smith (Texas) and Parker Valby (Florida).
The next update will occur on Wednesday, March 20 (women) and Thursday, March 21 (men).
Ford and several other Gamecocks will be back in action next weekend, March 8-9, when they travel to Boston, Mass. for the NCAA Indoor Championship. The meet will take place at the TRACK at New Balance.
