LEVELLAND—The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced its All-American recipients on Thursday for the 2017 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field season.
It came as no surprise that South Plains sat atop the men's list with 18 athletes earning All-American status in 31 different events. 15 Lady Texans were named All-Americans in 21 events.
Athletes are deemed All-Americans by finishing among the top eight in their events, including relay events, at the national meet which took place in Hutchinson, Kansas on May 18-20. The Texans captured their 11th consecutive outdoor national title, led by first-year head coach Erik Vance. For his efforts, Vance was named the 2017 NJCAA Div. I Men's Outdoor National Coach of the Year.
"As far as our men's program goes, we just got better and better as the year went on and this was a heck of a first year," Vance said. "We saw some great progress on the ladies' side and will be in the thick of things next season. We're already working on next season and keeping our men where they are and getting the ladies right up there with them. I was really proud of this award and was disappointed coach Hobbs wasn't the Assistant Coach of the Year because he did just as much as anyone else to earn that award the way his sprinters and hurdlers competed. All in all, I couldn't ask for much more from our kids and look forward to keeping things rolling next season."
Texan All-Americans:
Jordan Atkinson: 200 Meters, 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay
Saahir Bethea: Triple Jump
Junior Charles: 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay
Robert Downs Jr.: 4×800 Relay
Robert Dunning: 110 Meter Hurdles
Dekaryea Freeman: 4×800 Relay
Rayan Holmes: 400 Meter Hurdles, 4×100 Relay
Montel Hood: 4×400 Relay
Patrick Johnson: Decathlon
Felix Kosgei: 5000 Meters, 10,000 Meters
Kwaume McGee: High Jump
Derrick Monroe: Long Jump
Laquan Nairn: Long Jump, Triple Jump
Omero Rodriguez, 1500 Meters, 5000 Meters, 4×800 Relay
Nicholas Rotich: 1500 Meters, Steeplechase, 4×800 Relay
William Watson: 110 Meter Hurdles, 400 Meter Hurdles
Adrian Williams: Javelin
Okeen Williams: 400 Meter Hurdles, 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay
Lady Texan All-Americans:
Omotayo Abolaji: 4×100 Relay
Agnes Abrocquah: 4×400 Relay
Kionna Bradshaw: Shot Put
Safia Bright: 4×100 Relay
Seselia Dala: 5000 Meters, 10,000 Meters, 4×800 Relay
Felicia Frimpong: Triple Jump
Poro Gahekave: Steeplechase, 4×800 Relay
Taylor Hill: 4×100 Relay
Melody Korie: Long Jump
Hellen Maasotuo: 4×800 Relay
Natasha McDonald: 400 Meters
Natassha McDonald: 4×400 Relay
Jannia Price: Discus
Mauricia Prieto: 200 Meters, 4×100 Relay, 4×400 Relay
Latriceia Smith: 4×400 Relay, 4×800 Relay