Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Stewart

KERRON STEWART is the NCAA National Indoor track and field Division One Athlete of the Year.

Stewart, representing Auburn, ran a world-leading 200m time on her way to the sprint double victory at last weekend?s NCAA National Indoor track and field championships title at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Arkansas.

The former St. Jago star won the 200 in 22.58 seconds, the fastest time in the world this season and the 60m in 7.15 seconds, becoming the first Jamaican to capture the double.

She described winning this award as ?very special, because a lot of good athletes like Sanya Richards have won it, so for me to win it, it?s a great feeling,? said the 2002 World Junior Championships sprint relay gold medallist.

Stewart said not a lot of people had faith in her because she is not attending one of the ?so-called big-name schools? or working with a big-name coach.

Meanwhile, seven Jamaicans were selected to the All-America team: Ricardo Chambers, Florida State University, who won the NCAA 400m title, Stewart of Auburn University (200m, 60m), Simone Facey of Texas A&M University (200m, 60m), Nickiesha Wilson of Louisiana State University (60m hurdles), Monique Morgan of Villanova University (60m hurdles), Shaun Smith of Oral Roberts University (800m) and Alain Bailey of University of Arkansas (long jump).