Rupp, Barringer Win Inaugural Bowerman Awards

The Bowerman Award is the Heisman Trophy for track and field.

Galen Rupp of the University of Oregon and Jenny Barringer of the University of Colorado were awarded the inaugural Bowerman Awards at the 2009 United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USATFCCCA) annual meeting. The award was developed to highlight the most outstanding collegiate track and field athlete of the year.

Oregon’s Rupp had an stellar year including double individual victories at the NCAA championships indoors (3000m and 5000m) and outdoors (5000m and 10,000m). During the indoor campaign he set a new American and collegiate record in the 5000m, running 13:18.12 at the Tyson Invitational. Rupp anchored the winning distance medley relay team at the NCAA indoor championships, solidifying three national titles at the meet and leading the Ducks to the team title. Outside of the collegiate arena, Rupp placed a respectable 8th at the world championships over 10,000m in Berlin.

Barringer set a total of six collegiate records in 2009 including three indoors (1-mile, 3000m, 5000m) and three outdoors (1500m, 3000m-steeplechase, 5000m). The Lady Buffalo’s athlete of the year won NCAA championships at 3000m indoors and 3000m-steeplechase outdoors. In addition to her collegiate exploits Barringer placed fifth at the world championships in the 3000m-steeplechase and became the third American woman to break 4:00 in the 1500m, clocking a 3:59.90 at the Prefontaine Classic this spring.

For more information on the Bowerman Award visit the USTFCCCA website: www.ustfccca.org.