The sixth watch list update for The Bowerman, collegiate track and field’s top individual award, was revealed this week. It's almost time for the 2026 DI outdoor track and field championships, the last chance for athletes to prove themselves in front of The Bowerman committee.
After previously analyzing the frontrunners before May, here's an early look at where I think things stand ahead of the championships.
Disclaimer: This is not a reflection or indication of the actual committee's view on any of the athletes or their voting process, nor how they will vote in the future.
Top women's contenders for The Bowerman
No. 1 contender — Jane Hedengren | BYU
Hedengren was the top contender entering May, and has since added a first-place finish in the Big 12 5000 meters and a third-place finish in the 1500 meters. She had the first and second-fastest time in the west region 10K and 5K, respectively, qualifying to run both in Eugene.
Hedengren is the favorite to pull off another distance sweep outdoors, and if she does so, she’ll have a strong case to stay at the top of this list of contenders.
AWARDS: The 2026 Bowerman Watch List for men's and women's NCAA track and field
No. 2 contender — Adaejah Hodge | Georgia
Hodge has run 21.92 in the 200 meters and 10.86 in the 100 meters this season. She’s the only woman to break 22 in the 200 and 11 in the 100 this season, and is undefeated in both sprint events outdoors.
Hodge has been excellent this outdoor season as she tries to follow up her indoor 200 title.
DAWGS: How a new facility has Georgia track and field gearing up for an exciting championship season
No. 3 contender — Hana Moll | Washington
Hana Moll moves up to the No. 3 contender for The Bowerman as we approach the outdoor championships. Moll added another pole vault record with a 4.83 meter clearance at Big Ten Championships, her second collegiate record of the outdoor season. Two outdoor records support Moll’s indoor title, giving her a slight edge for the final spot in the top three.
MORE RECORDS: Every collegiate track and field record broken in 2026, so far
Ones to watch
- Everyone
- Texas Tech’s Temitope Adeshina, Nebraska’s Axelina Johansson, Minnesota’s Anthonett Nabwe and Georgia’s Dejanea Oakley all have indoor collegiate titles and have shown potential to clear a collegiate record. Arkansas’ Sanu Jallow-Lockart and Stanford’s Alyssa Jones recently climbed to No. 2 all-time in their events. We can’t forget the defending winner of The Bowerman, Alabama’s Doris Lemngole. Anything can happen in Eugene to shake up the race for the award.
MORE: How Southern's Alase overcame adversity to post nation-leading time ahead of NCAA postseason
Top men’s contenders for The Bowermen
No. 1 contender — Habtom Samuel | New Mexico
Samuel remains the top contender for The Bowerman after qualifying for the 5K and 10K at outdoor championships. He’s still the only male collegian with an NCAA record indoors (2-mile) and outdoors (5000 meters) and indoor NCAA title.
WOO PIG: How Arkansas' Jelani Watkins became the latest college football player-turned-track star
No. 2 contender — Ja’Kobe Tharp | Auburn
Tharp is looking to replicate his NCAA title and collegiate record indoors in the outdoor season. He’s in good shape after a 13.05 at the NCAA DI East First Rounds, tying his previous PR. With four sub-13.10 finishes this season, Tharp could become the first to pull off back-to-back hurdle sweeps since Grant Holloway in 2019, the same year Holloway won The Bowerman.
OUTDOOR PREVIEWS: Potential season sweeps | Every potential repeat champion | Records that could fall
No. 3 contender — Samuel Ogazi | Alabama
Samuel Ogazi ran 43.82, 43.95 and 44.02 in the 400 meters this season. He also won the indoor 400 meter title. As Ogazi continues to fill up the all-time charts outdoors, he’s launched himself near the top of the conversation for The Bowerman. Another 43-second finish in Eugene and a title could be what he needs to become the award’s favorite.
2026 OUTDOOR T&F CHAMP INFO: Schedule, selections, how to watch, history
Ones to watch
- Kanyinsola Ajayi | Auburn
- 9.84 seconds in the 100 meters will have you in contention for The Bowerman. After tying the collegiate record in winning the indoor 60 meters, Ajayi could be in similar territory come Eugene. While he’ll compete in only the 100 meters as his only event, he will run in the 4x100 meter relay, which could be pivotal to Auburn’s team title hopes.
- Colin Sahlman | Northern Arizona
- Sahlman has a pair of indoor titles in the 3000 meters and the DMR and an indoor collegiate record in the 800 meters. He’s competing in only the 800 meters outdoors, an event where he’s No. 9 all-time.
- Jelani Watkins | Arkansas
- Watkins won the SEC titles in the 100 meters and 200 meters. The Razorback has also ran a windy 9.82 100m and a wind-legal 19.87 200m this season. If Watkins can pull off a sprint sweep, it’ll be hard to keep him from being a finalist at the least.
- Watkins won the SEC titles in the 100 meters and 200 meters. The Razorback has also ran a windy 9.82 100m and a wind-legal 19.87 200m this season. If Watkins can pull off a sprint sweep, it’ll be hard to keep him from being a finalist at the least.
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Comparing indoor and outdoor seasons | Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
