Two standout athletes from Brigham Young University (BYU), Jane Hedengren and James Corrigan, have been named to the preseason watchlist for The Bowerman award, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. This accolade recognizes the top collegiate track and field athletes in the United States. If either runner secures the award, it would mark a historic first for BYU, as no athlete from the university has ever won this prestigious honor.
Hedengren’s inclusion on the watchlist is particularly noteworthy. She is the fourth BYU woman to receive this recognition, following Lacey Bleazard, Whittni Morgan, and Courtney Wayment. On the men’s side, Corrigan becomes the third BYU athlete to be named, joining Zach McWhorter and Kenneth Rooks. Both athletes have demonstrated exceptional talent and performance in their respective events.
Hedengren made a significant impact in her collegiate career right from the start. In her first track race in December, she shattered the NCAA record for the 5,000 meters by eight seconds, clocking in at an impressive 14:44.79. This achievement established her as the first collegiate woman to run under 14:50 in this distance. Notably, she is the only freshman on the watchlist and the first freshman since Mondo Duplantis in 2019 to receive this honor.
Corrigan’s accomplishments also shine brightly. He represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics and successfully carried that momentum into the following year by winning the NCAA steeplechase national title. His performances have placed him among the elite in collegiate athletics.
The Bowerman Award: Overview and Selection Process
Established in 2009, The Bowerman is awarded annually to the top male and female collegiate track and field athletes. Last year’s recipients were Jordan Anthony from Arkansas and Doris Lemngole from Alabama. A select group from The Bowerman Advisory Board compiles the preseason watchlist, identifying the top ten collegiate athletes based on performances.
The evaluation period for the award considers track and field performances from December 1, 2025, until the NCAA outdoor championship finals in June. Notably, cross country performances do not count toward eligibility for this award.
Upcoming Timeline for The Bowerman Award
The selection process for The Bowerman includes multiple phases. Seven regular-season watchlists will be released starting in February. Following the NCAA outdoor championship finals in June, semifinalists will be announced, with finalists revealed later that month. Voting concludes in July, but the winners will not be disclosed until December.
With both Hedengren and Corrigan making the watchlist, BYU could potentially witness a historic achievement in collegiate athletics. As the season progresses, their performances will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike, with hopes high for their continued success in pursuit of this prestigious award.
