Bowerman Watch List: Temitope Adeshina Among Athletes Receiving Votes
Nigeria’s high jump star Temitope Adeshina has been listed among five athletes ‘receiving votes’ in the first update of the 2026 Bowerman Women’s Watch List, released Wednesday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
Adeshina, the reigning NCAA indoor champion and national record holder, underlined her credentials last week by clearing 1.97m to win her event.
The mark currently ranks third in the world this year and first in the NCAA, strengthening her case as one of the athletes to watch this season.
Although she did not make the official top 10, being named among those receiving votes signals recognition of her performances and keeps her firmly in contention for future updates.
Since the Watch List was introduced in 2010, only two eventual winners of the Bowerman have not appeared in the first update of the year and they are Sha’Carri Richardson in 2019 and Courtney Okolo in 2016.
The 2026 update features three new names, including debutants Sanu Jallow-Lockhart of Arkansas and Wilma Nielsen of Oregon, while Juliette Whittaker of Stanford returns to the list.
They join seven athletes retained from the preseason edition: JaMeesia Ford (South Carolina), Jane Hedengren (BYU), Axelina Johansson (Nebraska), Pamela Kosgei (New Mexico), 2025 winner Doris Lemngole (Alabama), Amanda Moll (Washington), and Hana Moll (Washington).
For Adeshina, her recognition reflects both her consistency and her potential to defend her NCAA indoor crown successfully. With the season still in its early stages, her performances will be closely monitored as she seeks to break into the top 10 and strengthen her case for the most prestigious award in collegiate track and field.
