Sprint Hurdler Janeek Brown Goes Pro

Jamaica’s new women’s sprint hurdles champion Janeek Brown is now a professional athlete. The 21 year old Brown who has just completed her sophomore year competing for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks has signed a professional contract with Puma. Brown, the 5’5” former Wolmers Girls graduate is coming off a season where she led the Lady Razorbacks to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field title. She was crowned the NCAA women’s 100m hurdles champion after posting an impressive time of 12.40 seconds in the finals. This is currently the fastest time in the world.

Brown has shown consistent improvements over the past years. Last year at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track and field championship, Brown finished 5^th overall in the 100m hurdles, with a time of 12.80 seconds, a school record. This year she is the women’s 100m hurdles champion.

Meteoric Rise

Brown meteoric rise to the top did not happen overnight as she had already proven herself at the junior level. Prior to her exploits at this year’s NCAA’s, Brown was crowned the 2015 U-18 CARIFTA Games 100m hurdles champion. She was also the 2015 Jamaican Champs class 2 100-meter hurdles champion representing Wolmers and was a participant at the 2015 IAAF World Youth Championship in her specialty event, the 100m hurdles.

Brown versatility was on display at the 2019 NCAA Championship, as she is not only a top notch sprint hurdler but she is also an great  sprinter. She finished 4th overall in the 200m in 22.40 seconds (currently the 6th fastest time in the world), to give her Razorback team valuable points.

Twitter announcement

In announcing her decision to go pro, Brown posted the following to her twitter account.

“On August 20, 2017, the University of Arkansas became my home away from home. I knew deep down that this was the right place to become successful, but I never knew it would happen so quickly.  Becoming a hog was one of the best decisions in my life. Representing the Razorbacks was truly a blessing. I grew up as an individual, and became a better teammate. But another dream is now waiting to begin. I have made the decision to forego my last two years of Collegiate Athletics. Now I’ll take my talent to the professional stage.

None of this would be possible without God, my coaches, teammates, athletic and academic staff, supporters and the rest of the phenomenal Razorback Family. ”

Janeek Brown is indeed one to watch in Qatar.

Janeek Brown photo courtesy of Joe Swift Photography