When Shawnti Jackson committed to Arkansas in December, the word could have just been considered another notch in the Razorbacks’ track-and-field belt.
On Monday, though, she earned an honor most to ever don a Hogs uniform only dreamed.
Jackson was named USA TODAY HSSA National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. Arkansas coach Chris Johnson, who was coach-in-waiting when Jackson committed, knew what kind of runner the Razorbacks were getting.
“To sign the No. 1 sprinter in the country, with her talents in the 100-, 200- and 400-, is huge,” Johnson said in December. “We’re ecstatic and excited. Being able to secure an athlete like that not only brings attention and notoriety to your program, but interest from other high-level athletes as well.”
Since those remarks, all Jackson has done is break the national high-school record in the 100-meter dash en route to being named the best in the country. The Carolina-based sprinter ran a 10.89-second 100 in Nashville back in June.
That mark placed her in a tie for fifth all-time among Under-20 sprinters on the women’s side. The leader, by the way, is Sha’Carri Richardson, the sprinter who won the 100-meter World Championship on Monday.
Jackson has that kind of talent.
The 2023 USA TODAY HSSA National Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Shawnti Jackson‼️
South Granville High School
Creedmoor, NC
@ShawntiJackson @SGHS_Vikings @RazorbackTF @ArkRazorbacks#usatodayhssa #highschoolsportsawards #highschoolsports #girlstrackandfield pic.twitter.com/TqKdyK089N— USA TODAY High School Sports Awards (@hssportsawards) August 2, 2023
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