We just got an email from an irate LRC visitor.The collegiate coaches association has been playing up their Bowerman award - which they invented in 2009 to be track's version of the Heisman. It hasn't quite caught on with the mainstream media (or even us just yet - as we almost forgot it was given out tonight), but it's a good idea.But he was really mad about the women's selection for 2012.Guess who didn't win?Arizona high jumper Brigetta BarrettAll she's done is over the last two years is win 24 of 25 collegiate competitions and 4 NCAA titles.This year, and the award is solely for 2012, she was undefeated indoors and out at the collegiate level- 13 and 0. Went to the Olympics and won silver.The only way to do better than that would be to win Olympic gold we guess.The winner was LSU's Kimberly Duncan.The visitor was irate as she wasn't an Olympian. As he wrote, "Olympic Medalist vs non Olympian."But Duncan did score way more points as she won the 200 indoors and out. Was 2nd in the 100, 8th in the 60 and = was on the winning 4 x 100 ad on the runner-up 4 x 400.The coaches made the right decision based on the awards stipulations which state.
"The Bowerman is awarded each year to the top male collegiate athlete and to the top female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track & field.
Athletes’ performances during the NCAA indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons shall be considered. An athlete need not have competed in both seasons to be eligible for the award.
Only performances from the NCAA indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons of the year in which the award is given should be considered. For example, performances from the 2009 outdoor track & field season should not be considered for the 2010 award.
What do you think? Should non-collegiate action be considered?