Jenna Prandini turns page on track career, signs pro contract with Puma
A mixed day of news for Jenna Prandini Thursday had the former Clovis High star fail to qualify for the 200-meter final at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, but sign an endorsement contract with Puma, launching her professional career.
That means she won’t complete her All-America career at Oregon as a senior.
“That’s correct,” said her father, Carlo Prandini, from Beijing. “She has three classes to take (to graduate), so she will still live and train (in Eugene) next year.”
Prandini was a 14-time indoor and outdoor All-American at Oregon, the school’s female Athlete of the Year the past school year and the Honda Sports Award winner as the NCAA Athlete of the Year for women’s track and field last season.
It was then that she delivered an astounding 26 points (first in the 100 and silvers in the 200 and long jump) while powering the Ducks to the NCAA team title on her home track at Hayward Field. She then returned there to win the 200 gold at the USA Track and Field Championships two weeks later.
Meanwhile, at Beijing, Prandini finished fifth in her semifinal in 22.87, well off her personal and season best of 22.20. Danfe Schippers of the Netherlands (22.36) and Sherone Simpson of Jamaica (22.53) finished 1-2 to qualify for Friday’s final.
@J_Prandini confirms she will forgo senior season at UO & has signed w/ @PUMARunning. Plans to stay in school & train in Eugene.#Beijing2015
— TrackTown USA (@GoTrackTownUSA) August 27, 2015
This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 6:18 AM with the headline "Jenna Prandini turns page on track career, signs pro contract with Puma."