Pleasantville High School graduate Nia Ali had a track and field season to remember at the University of Southern California.
She continues to receive accolades even though her college career is over.
Ali was named the Pac-10 Female Track Athlete of the Year this week. Only two other women have ever won this award at USC.
She earned the award after winning the 2011 NCAA 100-meter hurdles on June 11 in 12.62 seconds. Her time was the second fastest by any female in the country this season. Ali also placed sixth in the women’s high jump at the NCAA championships.
At the Pac-10 championships on May 14, she took second in the high jump with 6-foot, 1.25-inch clearing, which was second-best in USC history.
Over the weekend, Ali took fifth in the hurdles at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in 12.86.
This might not be the end for Ali. She is also a finalist for the Bowerman Award, which is given to the top collegiate track athlete of the year.
Many from Pleasantville already knew Ali and what she could do on the track. As a senior with the Greyhounds in the spring of 2006, Ali won South Jersey and state Group II titles in the 100 hurdles. She was also a South Jersey champion in the 200 and the high jump.
Ali won the 100 hurdles at the Meet of Champions in 13.78 seconds.
