Ajayi, Nnamdi, Ogazi Named Bowerman 2026 Men’s Semifinalists

The Bowerman Advisory Board has announced its ten men’s semifinalists for collegiate track and field’s highest individual honor, and three Nigerian athletes, Kayinsola Ajayi, Chinecherem Prosper Nnamdi, and Samuel Ogazi, have made the cut.

Ajayi, representing Auburn, cemented his reputation as one of the fastest men in collegiate history by winning the 100m at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships.

He clocked a slightly wind-aided 9.72 (+2.2), the second-fastest all-conditions time in collegiate history behind Obadele Thompson.

Earlier in the season, Ajayi ran a wind-legal 9.84 (+0.7), narrowly missing Christian Coleman’s collegiate record of 9.82. Indoors, Ajayi tied Coleman’s 60m collegiate record of 6.45 twice, first at the SEC Championships and then at the NCAA DI Indoor Championships.

Nnamdi, competing for Texas A&M, dominated the javelin. He won the NCAA title in TrackTown USA with a throw of 82.26m and climbed to No. 4 in collegiate history with his 84.68m effort at the Tom Jones Memorial in April. He also claimed victory at the SEC Championships, becoming Texas A&M’s ninth men’s semifinalist and first since 2017.

Ogazi, of Alabama, completed a sweep of the NCAA 400m titles and shattered Michael Norman’s collegiate record in the process.

His 43.38 at the NCAA DI Outdoor Championships set a new collegiate mark and moved him into the top tier of world all-time lists. Earlier in March, Ogazi won the NCAA indoor title with 44.57, equaling the recognized world record.

Outdoors, he became the only collegian with multiple sub-44 second performances, running 43.95, 43.82, and finally 43.38 to secure his place in history. He is Alabama’s fourth men’s semifinalist and first since 2021.

The Bowerman finalists will be announced on June 30, with the award ceremony scheduled later this year.