Tweet

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Reigning javelin national champion Irena Sediva is receiving consideration for the Preseason Women’s Bowerman Award Watch List as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Wednesday. Ten athletes earned a spot on the list, while nine other athletes, including Sediva, received mention and will be considered for future official watch lists.

“It’s great that Irena [Sediva] is being recognized as a Bowerman candidate,” associate head coach Greg Jack said. “Irena has been training well all fall and the good news is she has been staying healthy. We look forward to how it plays out in the outdoor season and beyond.”

In her first season, Sediva reset the ACC and Virginia Tech javelin records after clinching the ACC and NCAA East Regional gold medals. The All-American and ACC Field Performer of the Year concluded her collegiate season with the NCAA crown, throwing a 192-9 (58.66m) mark. The Czech Republic native went on to compete internationally at the World University Games, earning the bronze medal with a throw of 196-5.8 (59.89m).

The Bowerman is the highest individual honor any collegiate track & field athlete can earn. It is awarded to the top collegiate man and woman in NCAA track & field each year.

The award is named in honor of legendary former Oregon coach Bill Bowerman. At Oregon, Bowerman guided the team to four team NCAA titles and 24 individual titles during his 24 years as the coach (1949-1972). He also coached the U.S. Olympic track team at the 1972 Munich Olympics, co-founded Nike, Inc., and was a key figure in the National Collegiate Track and Field Coaches Association, the predecessor to the modern day United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Virginia Tech track & field begins 2016 competition next week, serving host to the Virginia Tech Invitational on Jan. 15 and 16 at Rector Field House.

The USTFCCCA's full release can be found here.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @VT_Track