Women's Track & Field | October 24, 2019
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan track and field program and head coach Makiba Batten have announced the hiring of Bridgette Owens to the position of assistant coach.
Owens joins the Broncos after a three-year stint as a volunteer assistant coach at Cal State Northridge. While with the Matadors she helped the program's athletes record 12 Big West Conference titles and nine finish as runners up. Owens also helped 16 athletes qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary round, while three set school records in the 100-meter hurdles.
"I am very excited about having Bridgette on staff to lead our sprints/hurdles/jumps group," said Batten. "I have literally watched her grow up and mature into an outstanding athlete and person. Her athletic career starting from her youth years here in Michigan through finishing out her professional career this June has been nothing short of impressive. She is extremely focused and brings the 'real' factor along with a wealth of knowledge. Bridgette's impact will play a major role in starting the new imprint of Western Michigan Track & Field. We welcome her back home."
Originally from Detroit, Mich., Owens competed collegiately at Clemson and Florida, where she was a combined seven-time US Track and Field and Cross Country Association All-American. She was a four-time Outdoor All-American in the 100-meter hurdles and a two-time Indoor All-American in the 60-meter hurdles. She still holds the record in the 100-meter hurdles at Florida.
In addition to her tremendous collegiate success, she has also competed at the US Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016. She has been a finalist at the 2015 USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the 2018 USA Indoor Championships. Owens, who has been ranked as one of the top hurdlers in the world, most recently finished 10th at the USA Outdoor Championships in the 100-meter hurdles in 2019, where she was trained by US Olympic coach Lawrence "Boogie" Johnson.
Owens holds a bachelor of science in agriculture from the University of Florida.
