Aleia Hobbs named USTFCCCA Track Athlete of the Year

Baton Rouge, La. – LSU sprinter Aleia Hobbs was named the 2018 USTFCCCA Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year on Wednesday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association of America announced.

“There is no one more deserving of this award than Aleia,” LSU track and field head coach Dennis Shaver said. “She’s been such a great representative for LSU and we will miss her. When you look take a step back and look at what she has achieved this season, the times and all-time ranks are astounding. She will go down as one of the most-accomplished sprinters in NCAA history.”

Hobbs becomes the second Lady Tiger to garner this award joining the likes of Kimberlyn Duncan who was honored with it in 2012.

It has been a record-setting spring for the unquestioned best sprinter in the nation. In her primary events, the 100 meter dash and 4×100 meter relay, Hobbs went an unblemished 15-0 in those events winning every single time. She won her first career individual outdoor NCAA national title last weekend at the NCAA Championships with a readout of 11.01 in the midst of a heavy rainstorm and into a headwind; it was the fastest 100 meter dash into a headwind in collegiate history. She also served as the anchor leg of the 4×1 that won its second title in three years with a readout of 42.25 at the NCAA Championships. In the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships, Hobbs anchored the 4×100 meter relay to an NCAA meet record with a time of 42.09.

Hobbs owns five of the top eight wind-legal 100 meter dashes in NCAA history, four of which she ran this year. Her fastest wind-legal time of the season came at the NCAA East Preliminaries in Tampa, Fla., when she dashed her way to a 10.90 in the preliminary rounds of the NCAA meet. She won the SEC 100 meter dash title with a meet record time of 10.92 to help lead the LSU women to a second-place SEC finish. All in all, she ran five sub-11 second wind-legal 100 meter dashes in 2018 – four of which sit in the top seven of the collegiate record book.

Serving as the anchor leg of the 4×100 meter relay the whole season, Hobbs helped the 4×1 maintain a perfect 10-0 record in their races. Not only did the relay squad go undefeated and win a national title, they clocked three of the top five times in NCAA history in 2018 with a 42.05 (collegiate record), 42.09 (NCAA meet record) and 42.25.

Hobbs named semifinalist for The Bowerman

Another big honor came in on Wednesday for LSU superstar Aleia Hobbs. She was announced as a semifinalist for The Bowerman.

Hobbs has put forth a strong resume to be included in the discussion as the top track and field athlete in the nation in 2018. One of 10 female athletes to make the semifinal list, Hobbs is attempting to become the second LSU athlete in program history to win the award. Kimberlyn Duncan received The Bowerman in 2012.

Hobbs 2018 Achievements

• NCAA indoor 60 meter dash champion
• NCAA outdoor 100 meter dash champion
• NCAA outdoor 4×100 meter relay champion
• Anchored LSU 4×100 meter relay to collegiate record with a 42.05 at SEC Championships
• Tied NCAA indoor 60 meter dash record (7.07)
• Ran four of the top eight wind-legal 100 meter dashes in NCAA history with a season best of 10.90 (wind legal)
• Won a combined 19 races between indoors and outdoors

The Bowerman is annually awarded to the top male and female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track and field every December. Other athletes on the list include Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Kentucky), Kendall Ellis (USC), Maggie Ewen (Arizona State), Olivia Gruver (Kentucky), Lynna Irby (Georgia), Sydney McLaughlin (Kentucky), Keturah Orji (Georgia), Karissa Schweizer (Missouri) and Gabby Thomas (Harvard).

The three Bowerman finalists will be revealed next Wednesday (June 20).