Ackera Nugent garners National Athlete of the Week accolade

NEW ORLEANS – Razorback junior Ackera Nugent earned the women’s National Athlete of the Week honor from USTFCCCA as well as SEC Runner of the Week following a 12.52 winning performance in the 100m hurdles as she raced in the same track and field venue that will host the conference meet in two weeks.

Nugent’s time ranks No. 3 on the 2023 world list, and she is currently the top Jamaican hurdler. While she has a career best of 12.45 from the 2022 Big 12 Championships in Lubbock when at Baylor, her 12.52 ranks No. 2 on the Arkansas all-time list. The Arkansas school record is 12.40 by Janeek Brown from 2019.

“To be the national athlete of the week, I think it says something about Ackera as a person and her work ethic as an athlete along with her abilities and the blessings God has given her,” said Arkansas women’s associate head coach Chris Johnson. “We want more, and there’s more to be garnered from what we want to accomplish and we’re looking forward to it.”

In addition to the stellar time at the LSU Invitational on Saturday, Nugent defeated the defending NCAA champion in LSU’s Alia Armstrong, who was runner-up in the race with a 12.56. Nugent also broke the Bernie Moore Stadium record of 12.70 set in 2018.

“Ackera ran at Texas Relays, but this was really her season opener in the hurdles,” noted Johnson. “I thought she went out there and did a good job. Obviously, it wasn’t perfect. She does what she always does, she goes out and competes.

“I think it was a great start for us, and there is more to come. The young lady from LSU, Alia, did a fantastic job as well. It came down to the line. So, you can only image what It’s going to look like at the conference meet with Grace Stark of Florida, Masai Russell of Kentucky, as well as Alia and Ackera. It’s going to be nothing short of phenomenal.”

Earlier this season, Nugent defeated the defending NCAA Indoor champion at 60m hurdles, Masai Russell of Kentucky, at the 2023 NCAA Indoor after breaking Russell’s collegiate record in the semifinal.

Moving to the outdoor season, Russell broke the collegiate record in the 100m hurdles with a 12.36 (2.0 wind) on April 1.

Nugent’s winning time of 12.52 at LSU was aided with a 0.2 wind. Making the adjustment to her time if she had raced with a 2.0 wind, her time drops to 12.39.

“Ackera has been a big-time performer even before she got to Arkansas,” stated Johnson. “Even as a junior (U20) athlete, she rises to the occasion and is very competitive. She is really a student of sport and in the hurdles.

“That’s the expectation she has, and the expectations we have for her. It’s going to be exciting. All things are earned and not given, so we have to go execute when the time comes.”