Ford Named to Fourth Consecutive Bowerman Watch List
COLUMBIA, S.C. (April 10, 2024) – For the fourth consecutive month, South Carolina Track & Field star freshman JaMeesia Ford has been named to The Bowerman Watch List. This watch list serves as the mid-outdoor watch list as the Gamecocks are halfway through the outdoor season.
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 first appeared on the Bowerman Watch List in the beginning of February and has now made four consecutive appearances. Ford is looking to become the first Gamecock in program history to earn the prestigious honor.
Since the last watch list on March 20, Ford has appeared in two outdoor meets for the Gamecocks. She made her outdoor debut in the women’s 400m at the Weems Baskin Invitational, winning with a time of 51.16 which stands as the fastest time in the NCAA this season. Her 400m time also set a new Cregger Track facility record and ranks seventh all-time in Gamecock history. She then ran the leadoff leg of the women’s 4x400m relay that clocked 3:34.80 for the win at the Weems Baskin Invitational.
The next week at the Pepsi Florida Relays, Ford ran the second-fastest 200m time recorded in Gamecock history when she won with a time of 22.37 (0.9). Ford was also part of a pair of relays that rank inside the Top 3 in the NCAA this season. She kicked off the Florida Relays by running in the 4x100m relay, running 43.34 for the win and ranking second in the NCAA and seventh in program history. She capped off the Florida Relays as the anchor leg in the 4x400m relay, running a 400m split of 49.38 to help the Gamecocks jump from fifth to first with the 10th fastest time in program history and ranking third in the NCAA this season.
Joining Ford on the fourth updated version of the Bowerman Watch List are: Lamara Distin (Texas A&M), Rachel Glenn (Arkansas), Jasmine Jones (Southern California), Brianna Lyston (LSU), Maia Ramsden (Harvard), Michaela Rose (LSU), Jaida Ross (Oregon, Parker Valby (Florida) and Juliette Whittaker (Stanford).
The next update will occur on Wednesday, May 1 (women) and Thursday, May 2 (men).
Ford and the rest of the Gamecocks head back down to Gainesville, Fla. this weekend to compete in the Tom Jones Invitational. The two-day meet will begin on Friday, April 12 and conclude on Saturday, April 13.
