Nigeria’s Favour Ashe stepped up his performance on the NCAA circuit last week, winning his qualifying heat of the men’s 60m at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville in a new Personal Best (PB) of 6.52s.
Not only was the mark a PB; it also doubled as a Freshman Record for his school, University of Tennessee where he is currently studying, breaking the previous mark held by Leonard Scott at 6.56s which was set way back in 1999, before Ashe was born.
It also earned him the SEC freshman of the week honours for the second time this year, making him the first Vol to earn multiple accolades since Christian Coleman did in 2014.
🔥 FRESHMAN RECORD 🔥
Favour Ashe goes 6.52 in the men's 60m, setting a lifetime best and breaking the Tennessee freshman record!!
His time is third-fastest all-time in Tennessee history!#GBO ⏱ pic.twitter.com/Wb9ibWkfdM
— Tennessee Track & Field/XC (@Vol_Track) February 12, 2022
His time which is the fastest in the South Eastern Conference (SEC), makes him the third fastest Vol ever at the distance behind Scott and Christian Coleman – climbing past Justin Gatlin in the process – the third fastest man in the NCAA this year and also the sixth fastest man in the world this year.
Earlier this year, Ashe clocked 6.58s in his first ever race indoors and debut at 60m, just coming within a hair’s breadth of Scott’s record. With his new PB, he will no doubt have his sights set on the Nigerian National Record (NR) held by his coach, Deji Aliu at 6.48s.
