Texas Tech University Athletics
Zahafi named to The Bowerman Watchlist
April 21, 2022 | Track and Field
Zahafi makes his debut on the prestigious list
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Moad Zahafi was named to The Bowerman Mid-Outdoor Watchlist, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.
Zahafi put the world and the NCAA track and field community on notice last weekend in Gainesville, Fla. Running in the 800, the Morocco native blazed through the field in significant fashion in the final 20o stretch with a blistering time of 1:43.69. It went down as the world leading and No. 3 all-time NCAA Mark. Only Michael Saruni of UTEP (1:43.25, 2018) and Donavan Brazier (1:43.55, 2016) have run faster. The mark broke Tech legend Jonathan Johnson's 2004 mark of 1:44.77 set back at the U.S. Olympic trials.
"It's an incredible honor for Moad to make his debut on The Bowerman Watchlist," said head coach Wes Kittley. "His run at the Tom Jones Memorial was truly remarkable and for him to have the world lead and school record is quite an accomplishment. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season goes."
It was the second time this outdoor season Zahafi has competed in a race. He opened his campaign at the Texas Relays clocking in a season-opening time of 1:45.99. Zahafi is the first Red Raider since 2019 Bowerman finalist Divine Oduduru to make the list.
The next Bowerman Mid-Outdoor Watchlist update is scheduled to occur on Thursday, May 6.
Zahafi put the world and the NCAA track and field community on notice last weekend in Gainesville, Fla. Running in the 800, the Morocco native blazed through the field in significant fashion in the final 20o stretch with a blistering time of 1:43.69. It went down as the world leading and No. 3 all-time NCAA Mark. Only Michael Saruni of UTEP (1:43.25, 2018) and Donavan Brazier (1:43.55, 2016) have run faster. The mark broke Tech legend Jonathan Johnson's 2004 mark of 1:44.77 set back at the U.S. Olympic trials.
"It's an incredible honor for Moad to make his debut on The Bowerman Watchlist," said head coach Wes Kittley. "His run at the Tom Jones Memorial was truly remarkable and for him to have the world lead and school record is quite an accomplishment. I'm looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season goes."
It was the second time this outdoor season Zahafi has competed in a race. He opened his campaign at the Texas Relays clocking in a season-opening time of 1:45.99. Zahafi is the first Red Raider since 2019 Bowerman finalist Divine Oduduru to make the list.
The next Bowerman Mid-Outdoor Watchlist update is scheduled to occur on Thursday, May 6.
Players Mentioned
Distance
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