Shawnti Jackson garners USATF Youth Athlete of the Year honor

ORLANDO – Razorback freshman Shawnti Jackson will receive the 2023 USATF Youth Athlete of the Year on Saturday evening during the Night of Legends function held at the USATF annual meeting.

Other award recipients on the night include Sha’Carri Richardson (Jackie Joyner-Kersee Female Athlete of the Year), Noah Lyles (Jesse Owens Male Athlete of the Year), and Dennis Mitchell (Nike Coach of the Year).

“I’m very pleased with my performances and I’m very glad I was even nominated for this award,” said Jackson. “Not only being nominated, but winning the award since so many amazing people were nominated. For me to be the winner feels really good.

“I was really pleased with the season. I’ve done a lot of great things that I didn’t even see coming, but I’m glad it happened.”

Arkansas women’s head coach Chris Johnson noted: “It’s a well-deserved award for her. It’s exciting, and obviously she is here now, but based on things she’s been able to do in the past and what her parents have been able to do along with coaches and everybody else involved in her journey.

“We’re very excited and very proud of her being able to achieve high-level goals. When you’re able to achieve these goals and garner these type of awards obviously that comes with a lot of hard work, dedication and focus. We’re very proud of her and happy that she is a Razorback.”