Ajayi, Ogazi Earn Spot on Bowerman Men’s Watch List
Auburn junior sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi has been named to The Bowerman Men’s Watch List in the latest update released Thursday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
This marks the third watch list of the 2026 season and Ajayi’s second career appearance.
Ajayi earned his place on the list after a record-breaking performance at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships two weeks ago, where he captured the 60-meter national title in 6.45 seconds.
The Ikorodu, Nigeria native tied the collegiate record twice this season, first at the SEC Indoor Championships and then again on the national stage, helping Auburn secure a tie for fourth in the men’s team standings.
The 21-year-old sprinter has now collected three NCAA titles, having previously contributed to Auburn’s gold medal-winning 4x100m relay teams at the 2024 and 2025 outdoor championships. Ajayi is Auburn’s first sprinter to win an individual national crown since Bryan Howard captured the 55m title in 1997.
Joining Ajayi on the prestigious watch list is Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi, who hails from Kaduna, Nigeria.
Ogazi stunned the track world at the NCAA Indoor Championships by winning the 400 meters in 44.57 seconds, equaling the recognized world record and tying for third-fastest in history. He went under 45 seconds three times this season, including a 44.72 victory at the SEC Indoor Championships.
The Bowerman is the highest honor in American collegiate track and field, awarded annually to the most outstanding male and female athletes.
