Ogazi Finishes Second as Tharp, Hodge Win Bowerman Fan Vote
Over 25,000 Votes Cast in Bowerman Fan and Membership Polls
University of Alabama’s Samuel Ogazi finished second in the Bowerman Fan Vote as Ja’Kobe Tharp and Adaejah Hodge emerged winners in the 2026 edition of collegiate track and field’s most prestigious award voting.
Ogazi, one of the standout men’s finalists, trailed Auburn’s Tharp, who was a runaway winner in both the Fan Vote and the USTFCCCA Membership Vote.
On the women’s side, Georgia’s Hodge surged late to claim the Fan Vote, while Nebraska’s Axelina Johansson edged her in the closest Membership Vote in Bowerman history.
More than 25,000 votes were cast during the 48-hour Fan Vote window, underscoring the passion of collegiate track and field fans.
While the Fan and Membership Votes provide finalists with momentum, they represent only a portion of the overall tally.
The final decision also includes ballots from The Bowerman Advisory Board, past winners from 2009 to 2025, select media, statisticians, and collegiate administrators.
Historically, the Fan Vote has often foreshadowed eventual winners, with eight men and eight women who topped the poll later going on to claim the Bowerman trophy.
The Bowerman Presentation is scheduled for Thursday, December 17, where Ogazi, Tharp, Hodge, Johansson, and the other finalists will discover who will ultimately be crowned with collegiate track and field’s highest individual honour.
