Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, and current World Record holder, Ashton Eaton, can add another accolade to his wondrous career. He once again has won the USA Track and Field Jesse Owens athlete of the year for best male track athlete in the United States.
Eaton most recently won the decathlon at the World Championships in a world record of 9045 points, topping the rest of the field by over 300 points. He was dominant throughout his whole entire winter and spring track career, setting multiple personal bests in the 100, 400, and the hurdles.
This is the second time Eaton has won the award and it almost certainly won’t be the last. When he won the award in 2012, he had just recently won an Olympic Gold and had set the world record in the decathlon twice. When he received the award, he almost immediately dropped it and the award split in two. He received a new award, but he says he will definitely try to keep his new award safe.
Eaton also realizes the large importance of receiving this award and how it symbolizes the excellence of previous athletes who received the award. Eaton stated, “I like the fact that Jesse Owens’ name is tied to it because we owe him so much for the sport. I think it’s also an honor to receive it on that behalf as well.” He believes the award is one of the highest honors that an American track athlete can receive.