adminLewis and Jesse Owens this spring, earned the Atlantic Coast Conference’s top honour.
Makusha, one of only four people to win National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) titles in the 100 metres and the long jump, was named the winner of the Anthony J. McKevlin Award as the league’s top male athlete of the year.
Makusha, a junior from Zimbabwe, edged Duke basketball standout Nolan Smith 17 votes to 16 to become the 58th winner of the McKevlin Award.
In the past year, the 2008 Olympian built on an already impressive resume.
His victory in the 100-metre dash (9.89 seconds) at the NCAA outdoor championships, achieved in the rain, set a meet record and was the fourth-fastest performance in the world under any conditions this year.
His victorious long jump of 8.40 metres, the second-longest in the world in 2011 and best jump in 18 years at the NCAA Championship meet, delivered his third NCAA championship in the event and made him the fourth person in NCAA history to win the long jump and the 100 in a single NCAA Championship.
The exclusive fraternity includes Lewis and Owens, who combined for 13 Olympic gold medals. Makusha also ran on the Seminoles’ 4x100m relay team, which won the NCAA title.
Makusha is the third Seminole to win the McKevlin.
He joins join track performer Walter Dix (2007) and Charlie Ward, a football and basketball standout (2003, 2004).
“This is an amazing honour when you consider this encompasses all the sports across the ACC”, said Makusha, who was in Paris when notified.
“It is special knowing that this is not just for track, but is much bigger than that. To join Charlie Ward and Walter Dix as the only Seminoles to win the McKevlin Award is amazing.
“I look up to Walter and to win the same award he won in 2007 really means a lot to me. Representing Florida State as the winner of the McKevlin Award also carries great meaning as this school has meant so much to me during my time as a Seminole.” – Tallahassee.com
Online Reporter