Burchell, Malcolm honoured by University of Alabama

Remona Burchell, the 2014 NCAA Indoor 60 metre champion and outdoor 100 metre champion, was on Friday named The University of Alabama's Outstanding Female Running Events Athlete for 2014. Burchell and fellow Jamaican Yanique Malcolm were honoured at a special team banquet held by the university commemorating an outstanding season for their athletes.

Burchell, 23, was the second fastest Jamaican woman over 60 metres in 2014 when she won the indoor title in March. Her time 7.11s was only bettered by World Indoor Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who ran 6.98s At the World Indoor Championships in Sopot just six days before.

The Herbert Morrison High alumna went on to claim the NCAA 100-metre title in May with a time of 11.03s. The time was a school record and the fifth fastest time run by a Jamaican woman during the season; all this while being hampered by a sports hernia, which limited her ability to train as well as compete.

"I was very proud of myself for accomplishing so much in one year," said Burchell, reacting to the honour.

She revealed that winning the 60-metre indoor title was the highlight of the season because even though it came as a surprise, it did give her the self confidence she needed to accomplish what she did for the remainder of the season.

She also credited having faith in God and herself as well as the work of her coaches and support of her team-mates for helping her accomplish her goals.

"They encouraged me and told me not to doubt myself," she said of her team-mates.

Burchell's team-mate, 800 metre runner Yanique Malcolm was named the Most Improved Athlete. Malcolm, who arrived at the university running 2:11 for the 800m set a new school indoor record of 2:03.97 and also won the SEC outdoor 800m title in 2:03.28. For her efforts she earned second-team all-America honours at the 2014 indoor and outdoor championships.

Burchell said she was proud of her team-mate's award.

"It was very special because she is a hardworking athlete and coming from junior college she improved a lot," she said.

Looking ahead, Burchell is anticipating even greater things. Having undergone surgery to address the sports hernia and with recovery having gone well, she is confident she can do even better.

"I am looking forward to a very great season," she said. "I now know what I am capable of and by working hard and being confident I know I can do great things."