Morning Coffee - Merlene Ottey The Best Ever?

by Jon Johnston on Feb 8, 2008 7:55 AM CST in Corn Flakes

Merlene Ottey - Greatest Husker Woman Athlete Ever?

Former Husker Merlene Ottey was named the best collegiate woman sprinter of the past 60 years by 'Track and Field News'.

Look at this list of accomplishments:

Ottey is easily the most decorated track and field athlete in Nebraska history as she won 14 national championships from 1980 to 1984. Ottey also competed in seven straight Olympic Games from the 1980 games in Moscow to the 2004 games in Athens. Over her seven Olympics, Ottey was runner-up three times and also earned five bronze medals, including earning the silver in the 100-meter dash (1992 Barcelona), 200-meter dash (1996 Atlanta) and 4x100-meter relay (Sydney 2000). Ottey still holds 13 school records, including four relay marks.

Ottey earned indoor national championships in the 55m dash (1984), 60y dash (1982), 300y dash (1982), 4x220y relay (1982), 60m dash (1981) and 300m dash (1980-81). Outdoors she won titles in the 100m dash (1983), 200m dash (1983), 1982 (100m dash), 4x100m relay (1982), 100m dash (1981) and 200m dash (1980-81).

If memory serves, Ottey didn't lose a single race during her time at Nebraska. Maybe that's legend, but she was there when I was there and that's what I remember about her. That and she is a babe.

Poster Woman For Fitness Indeed

Want the reasons why the 2007 team failed so badly at defense? Look no further, especially with this quote:

It all starts with confidence in the team that all 11 players believe in the other 11 and if I do my job then the team will benefit.

Let's see.... Defensive Team Speed, Excellent Open Field Tacklers, Gap Responsibility and Pursuit Discipline. Three strikes, we're out! Go read the article already!

Jeffie Husker at DXP provides the most comprehensive reviews of new Husker recruits I've seen to date, so comprehensive it requires three parts. (1) (2) (3)

Great News! You can still get your "Protect Your Willie" t-shirt from the Kansas State Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators group if you pre-order.

The new shirts will be black with a basketball, and white lettering on the front will state "Don't be forward with your Willie, guard it." The back will have a basketball court with a chalkboard having x's and o's representing the players. Currently, the organization has pre-ordered 25 shirts, and those who want shirts have to pre-order.

Who doesn't want one of those???

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Comments

I remember

her now....she was a substitute teacher for my class in 5th grade at Calvert Elementary in Lincoln.

Wow....that was a long time ago.

by 96operator on Feb 9, 2008 9:43 AM CST reply actions

yeah

it was a long time ago. That's exactly what is amazing about Ottey. She kept competing long after most people would have quit and looked damned good while doing it.

Go Big Red!

by Jon Johnston on Feb 12, 2008 5:23 PM CST up reply actions