NEW ORLEANS - Deon Lendore, a Texas A&M sophomore sprinter, was one of four athletes added to The Bowerman official men's watch list on Wednesday. The Bowerman Trophy represents collegiate track and field's highest honor. Previous winners of the prestigious award, which began in 2009, include Aggie NCAA champion Jessica Beard in 2011.
Currently, Lendore is the lone sprinter on The Bowerman men's watch list and one of just two sophomores among the group of 10 athletes.
A victory in the 400 meters at the SEC Indoor Championships coupled with a blistering anchor leg on a SEC meet record 4x400 relay garnered the attention of the The Bowerman watch list.
Lendore recorded a 2013 world-leading time of 45.15 seconds, which ranks the Trinidad & Tobago native 10th on the all-time world list, during the prelims of the SEC 400. In the final of the event, Lendore recorded a winning time of 45.23 over a 45.67 by Florida's Hugh Graham.
With a 44.50 split as the anchor leg of the Aggie's winning 4x400 relay, Lendore posted one of the fastest splits ever recorded on an indoor track. Lendore moved A&M from third to first with his carry as the Aggies defeated Florida, 3:04.18 to 3:04.31.
Comparable to a hand-time split of 44.4 by Baylor's Darold Williamson in 2005, Lendore tops a list of the fastest ever 4x400 relays splits among collegians and professionals, which includes 44.54 by South Plains Rondell Bartholomew in 2011, 45.62 by LaShawn Merritt in 2007, 44.74 by Jeremy Wariner in 2006, 44.75 by Milton Campbell in 1999 and a 44.78 by Great Britain's Jaime Baulch in 1999.
Texas A&M's relay time of 3:04.18, a world leader for 2013, ranks the Aggies as the fifth fastest collegiate team ever and is 17th fastest ever on the world all-time list.
The Bowerman Watch List - 2013
ATHLETE YEAR SCHOOL EVENTS
Marquis Dendy Soph Florida Jumps
Derek Drouin Senior Indiana Jumps / Multi
Tim Glover Senior Illinois State Javelin
Kennedy Kithuka Junior Texas Tech Distance
Erik Kynard Senior Kansas State High Jump
Lawi Lalang Junior Arizona Distance
Deon Lendore Soph Texas A&M Sprints
Chris O'Hare Senior Tulsa Distance
Jeremy Taiwo Senior Washington Multi
Alexander Ziegler Senior Virginia Tech Throws
World All-Time List
400 meters
44.57 Kerron Clement (US) 2005
44.63 Michael Johnson (US) 1995
44.80 Kirani James (GRN) 2011
44.93 LaShawn Merritt (US) 2005
45.02 Danny Everett (US) 1992
45.03 Torrin Lawrence (US) 2010
45.05 Thomas Schonlebe (GDR) 1988
45.05 Alvin Harrison (US) 1998
45.11 Nery Brenes (CRC) 2012
45.15 Deon Lendore (TRI) 2013
4x400 Relay splits (among top 75 relay times)
44.4 Darold Williamson (Baylor) 2005
44.50 Deon Lendore (Texas A&M) 2013
44.54 Rondell Bartholomew (SPl) 2011
44.5 Darold Williamson (Bay) 2004
44.62 LaShawn Merritt (Tyson AS) 2007
44.74 Jeremy Wariner (US) 2006
44.75 Milton Campbell (US) 1999
44.78 Jaime Baulch (GBR) 1999
44.7 Alleyne Francique (LSU) 2001
44.8 Mitch Potter (Minnesota) 2004
44.91 Tony McQuay (Florida) 2011
44.94 Demetrius Pinder (Tx A&M) 2011
44.9 Jonathan Fortenberry (SCar) 2003
4x400 Relay
3:01.96 US All-Star Team 2006
3:02.83 USA National Team 1999
3:03.01 Poland National Team 1999
3:03.05 German National Team 1991
3:03.20 Great Britain National Team 1999
3:03.24 USA National Team 1991
3:03.24 USA National Team 2006
3:03.40 USA National Team 2010
3:03.51 Florida 2005
3:03.66 USA National Team 2006
(10)
3:03.76 Arkansas 2012
3:03.94 USA National Team 2012
3:03.96 Baylor 2004
3:04.01 LSU 2006
3:04.09 USA National Team 2003
3:04.17 USA National Team 2003
3:04.18 Texas A&M 2013
3:04.20 USA National Team 1993
3:04.21 Jamaica 2003
3:04.24 Texas A&M 2011
3:04.24 Baylor 2007
