Kirani James Named SEC Runner of the Year
3/7/2011 12:00:00 AM
March 7, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama sophomore All-American Kirani James was named the 2011 Southeastern Conference Runner of the Year by the league office Monday and also garnered the honor of Athlete of the Year for the South Region by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
James is off to a spectacular 2011 campaign, consistently posting eye-catching numbers throughout the indoor season. The Gouyave, Grenada, native holds the second-fastest time in the world this year in 200m after posting 20.58 at the Cherry & Silver Invitational in January and then claimed the top world time in the 400m the following month with a 44.80 at SEC Indoor Championships. His performance at the SEC Championships set a world junior record and SEC meet record.
The SEC award marks the first time a Crimson Tide male athlete has ever won the SEC Runner of the Year award for the indoor season, since the honor was first given out in 2004. David Kimani won the SEC Athlete of the Year award in 2001, before the honor was split into two designations.
James will travel to College Station, Texas, this weekend to participate in the NCAA Indoor Championships. The event hosted by Texas A&M University, will be held Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12.
