Jenna Prandini a finalist for college track & field’s top award

Jenna Prandini, the University of Oregon star who prepped at Clovis High, was named Thursday as one of three finalists for the Bowerman Trophy — billed as college track and field’s version of the Heisman.

Prandini wrapped up her junior year by leading the nation with 49 combined points in NCAA championship competitions. At the outdoor finals, she won the 100 in 10.96 seconds and took second in the 200 (22.21) and long jump (22 feet, 3.75 inches).

The other Bowerman finalists are hurdler Kendra Harrison of Kentucky and pole vaulter Demi Payne of Stephen F. Austin.

Prandini made the cut even without the nominating process including her post-NCAA season efforts, which saw her win the 200 meters at the U.S. Championships and lock up a spot on the American team for next month’s World meet in Beijing. She’s also part of the 400-meter relay pool after finishing sixth in the 100.

Voting to determine the women’s and men’s Bowerman Trophy winners — Shawn Barber of Akron, Edward Cheserek of Oregon, and Marquis Dendy of Florida were named male finalists Wednesday — will commence July 27 and conclude Aug. 11.

Fan voting will take place simultaneously on TheBowerman.org. The results will collectively count as one ballot alongside those cast by media members, statisticians, U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association members and other experts from around the nation.

The winner will be announced Dec. 17 in San Antonio. Oregon’s Laura Roesler won the women’s award in 2014. No school has captured back-to-back women’s Bowerman Trophies since the award was launched in 2009.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Jenna Prandini a finalist for college track & field’s top award."