St. Lucian sprinter Julien Alfred has attributed her Bowerman Award win to her perseverance by means of adversity throughout her time within the American collegiate circuit.
The 22-year-old was acknowledged with this prestigious accolade on the US Monitor and Area and Cross Nation Coaches Affiliation’s (USTFCCCA) conference in Denver.
Reflecting on her journey, Alfred shared, “It was fairly a journey for me, from my season ending in 2019 to COVID-19 spoiling the celebration, which triggered me to be caught within the US with my borders closed. I had nowhere to go in any respect.”
The sunshine my mother at all times spoke about
She continued, “[In] 2022 and 2023, I noticed the sunshine that my mother at all times spoke about. [I saw] the instances I at all times prayed for.” Alfred expressed her gratitude, stating, “It means rather a lot to me, particularly seeing how far I’ve come, the expansion I’ve had. It’s only a reminder that God is actual. He’s at all times going to be there, irrespective of how darkish it could appear … and there shall be a lightweight on the finish. I really feel extraordinarily grateful to have Him in my life.”
Alfred had a exceptional 12 months competing for the College of Texas, reaching an undefeated report within the 100 meters and turning into the primary lady within the NCAA to interrupt the seven-second barrier whereas securing the Massive 12 title. She additionally set new indoor and out of doors data within the 100 and 200 meters, incomes her titles such because the Massive 12 Convention Athlete of the Yr and the USTFCCCA nationwide indoor and out of doors observe Athlete of the Yr.
Her excellent efficiency prolonged to the World Championships in Budapest, the place she completed fourth within the 200 meters and fifth within the 100 meters, leaving Alfred optimistic about her future prospects. She remarked, “It simply reveals how a lot potential I’ve, and I hope I can get to that podium at some point.”
Junior Sportswoman of the Yr twice
Alfred had beforehand made her mark within the Caribbean as a junior athlete, profitable her nation’s junior Sportswoman of the Yr twice resulting from her successes on the Central American and Caribbean Video games and the Commonwealth Youth Video games.
Along with her newest achievement, she believes that St. Lucia will obtain elevated worldwide consideration, saying, “It means rather a lot to them as a result of once you point out Julien Alfred [of] St. Lucia, not many individuals learn about St. Lucia, so you will discover them going to go looking [and wondering], ‘Oh, the place is St. Lucia.’ It should convey a number of attraction to my nation.”
The Bowerman Award is the best honor in collegiate observe and discipline in the US.
