The Bowerman: Ezekiel Nathaniel named finalist for Track and Field's most prestigious US college award

Nigeria's Ezekiel Nathaniel has been named a Bowerman finalist—the most prestigious award in track and field for US college athletes.

The recognition comes after an exceptional year of dominance in the college circuit. Representing Baylor University, he ruled the 400m hurdles, highlighted by winning the NCAA title in Eugene with a stunning 47.49s. This time moved him to No. 3 in collegiate history, trailing only past Bowerman finalists Rai Benjamin and Caleb Dean.

Even more astonishing, Nathaniel clocked four different all-time top-10 performances in the event—the only man in college history to do so.

His indoor season was just as electric as he ran the seventh-fastest 400m in NCAA history and missed gold at the Indoor Championships by just 0.01 seconds.

With his nomination, Nathaniel becomes the first Baylor University student to be named a Bowerman finalist and the third Nigerian after the legendary Blessing Okagbare (2010) and Divine Oduduru (2019). If he wins, he'll become the first ever from the country.

The other two contenders for the award are: Auburn University's Ja'Kobe Tharp (NCAA Indoor 60mH Champion and Outdoor 100mH Champion), and Arkansas University's Jordan Anthony (NCAA Indoor 60m Champion and NCAA Outdoor 100m Champion).

The winner will be announced on December 18, 2025.