Nigerian high jumper Temitope Adeshina is making waves in collegiate athletics. She has been named one of the 10 semi-finalists for the Bowerman Award. This award is the top honor in U.S. collegiate track and field.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association shared the women’s semi-finalists list on Wednesday. Adeshina is on a list that includes stars like Jane Hedengren from BYU, Adaejah Hodge and Dejanea Oakley from Georgia, Sanu Jallow-Lockhart from Arkansas, Axelina Johansson from Nebraska, Alyssa Jones from Stanford, Aaliyah McCormick from Oregon, Hana Moll from Washington, and Shenese Walker from Florida State.
Adeshina was recently named USTAFCCCA Female Athlete of The Year. She earned her spot on this shortlist after an impressive collegiate season with Texas Tech. She excelled in high jump during both the indoor and outdoor seasons.
She finished the year undefeated, winning both NCAA Division I Indoor and Outdoor Championships titles. The Nigerian star defended her NCAA indoor title in March, clearing a season-best height of 1.97m to secure her second straight national title.
This achievement placed her joint fifth on the all-time collegiate indoor list. It also highlighted her as one of the most consistent jumpers in NCAA history.
Adeshina kept up her strong performance in the outdoor season. She recorded a best clearance of 1.96m, which helped her win the NCAA outdoor title and finish the season tied for the national lead.
The Bowerman semi-finalists list showcases a year of amazing performances across NCAA athletics. The 10 athletes together won 17 individual NCAA titles during the indoor and outdoor seasons. Many of them also set new collegiate records in their events.
Adeshina’s competition includes BYU's freshman Jane Hedengren. Hedengren broke collegiate records in the indoor 5,000m and outdoor 5,000m and 10,000m events. Georgia sprinter Adaejah Hodge set new collegiate records in both the 100m and 200m.
Arkansas runner Sanu Jallow-Lockhart also broke the collegiate record in the 800m while winning the NCAA title. Nebraska thrower Axelina Johansson enjoyed an undefeated season in the shot put.
Florida State’s Shenese Walker and Oregon hurdler Aaliyah McCormick won sprint and hurdles titles respectively at both indoor and outdoor championships. Washington pole vaulter Hana Moll continued her rise, breaking the collegiate outdoor record twice in her event.
The next step in the award process is the announcement of the finalists on June 29. The winners will be announced in December at the USTFCCCA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.
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