With a nickname like “Hurricane,” Julia Hawkins couldn’t help taking the world by storm. In being named USATF Athlete of the Week, she’s likely to hold the title of oldest AoW for a long time — or until she’s picked again. Julia is 101. Just a pup. (The previous record-holder was spring chicken Ida Keeling at 100.) “Hawkins (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), who took up the sport last year at age 100, set a pending world record in the W100 100m after finishing in 40.12,” USATF notes. “Earlier this month, she set another pending world record in the event with her finish of 39.62 at the Senior Games. With such little experience in track and field, Hawkins is quickly building an impressive resume within the sport. But if two pending world records isn’t enough, Hawkins’s participation in the weekend event now makes her the oldest female to compete in USATF Masters history.” She told Indy: “I didn’t feel like I was (breaking the record). Other times I felt like I was flying. This time, I wasn’t feeling like I was going that fast.”

Even though I would have chosen Bob Lida for his M80 ARs in the 200 and 400 for AoW, Julia is a sensible pick.

“Hawkins was a fan favorite both on and off the track, as she sparked much interest among local and national media outlets. National media outlets including the Washington Post, Bleacher Report and Runner’s World took note of her accomplishment,” USATF says.

So ya gotta go with the fan favorite, right?

Here’s the whole press release for posterity:

INDIANAPOLIS — Age is just a number for Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins who, at 101, earns USATF Athlete of the Week honors after her exceptional 100m performance and inspirational attitude at the 50th annual USATF Masters Outdoor Championships in Baton Rouge.

Hawkins (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), who took up the sport last year at age 100, set a pending world record in the W100 100m after finishing in 40.12. Earlier this month, she set another pending world record in the event with her finish of 39.62 at the Senior Games. With such little experience in track and field, Hawkins is quickly building an impressive resume within the sport. But if two pending world records isn’t enough, Hawkins’s participation in the weekend event now makes her the oldest female to compete in USATF Masters history.

“I didn’t feel like I was (breaking the record),” Hawkins said. “Other times I felt like I was flying. This time, I wasn’t feeling like I was going that fast.”

Despite Hawkins’s notable achievements, she still remains humble and competes for her love of staying active and healthy. When Hawkins isn’t blazing down the straightaway, she can be found riding her bicycle or gardening.

Hawkins was a fan favorite both on and off the track, as she sparked much interest among local and national media outlets. National media outlets including the Washington Post, Bleacher Report and Runner’s World took note of her accomplishment.

Following an eventful day of competing, rain delays, and interviews, Hawkins noted she would be going home to get some rest: “I missed my nap for this.”

Other Notable Performances:

In the men’s 100m at the USATF Masters Outdoor Championships, Bill Collins (Houston, Texas) set the M65 world record with a time of 12.34. The performance was his 62nd world age group record.
Reigning Olympic champion Ryan Crouser (Boring, Oregon) continued his dominance with a meet record at the Rabat Diamond League. Crouser won the competition with a throw of 22.47m /73-8.75.
In Padova, Italy, the American women continued to rule the podium in the 100m hurdles. Queen Harrison (Richmond, Virginia) claimed top honors with a time of 12.84. Harrison edged 2008 Olympic champion Dawn Harper-Nelson for the win.

The first record of 2017 USATF Masters Outdoor Championships was set by Khalid Mulazim (Cleveland, Ohio) of Southwest Sprinters Track Club, blasting through the M50 400m to take gold in a world record time of 51.13. Mulazim’s time usurps Fred Sowerby’s 1999 record of 51.39.
Neely Spence-Gracey (Boulder, Colorado) claimed her second straight title at the Humana Rock-n-Roll Chicago Half-Marathon on Saturday. Returning as the defending champion, Spence-Gracey finished almost three minutes ahead of the second place women, with a time of 1:13:13.

Now in its 16th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2017 Winners: January 5, Miranda Melville; January 12, Leonard Korir; January 19, Jordan Hasay; January 26, Keni Harrison; February 2, Michael Wardian; February 9, Mikey Brannigan; February 16, Ajee’ Wilson; February 23, Kathy Martin; March 2, Keturah Orji; March 9, Noah Lyles; March 16, Christian Walker; March 23, Allen Woodard; March 30, Bob Lida; April 6, Anna Rohrer; April 12, Sydney McLaughlin; April 19, Ben True; April 26, Jordan Hasay; May 3, Clayton Murphy; May 10, Gwen Berry; May 17, Christian Coleman; May 24, Joe Kovacs; May 31, Christian Taylor; June 7, Sydney McLaughlin; June 14, Christian Coleman; Tianna Bartoletta, June 21; Ryan Crouser, June 28; Sam Kendricks, July 6; Allyson Felix, July 12; Julia Hawkins, July 19.