Temitope Adeshina Moves Closer to Collegiate Athletics' Highest Honour

Temitope Adeshina's remarkable season has reached another milestone, with the Nigerian high jumper earning a place among the 10 semi-finalists for the 2026 Bowerman Award, the highest individual honour in U.S. collegiate track and field.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the shortlist on Wednesday, recognising Adeshina's outstanding campaign for Texas Tech. The Nigerian was recently named the USTFCCCA Female Athlete of the Year after completing an undefeated collegiate season.

Adeshina swept the NCAA Division I Indoor and Outdoor Championships, further cementing her place among the NCAA's elite. She successfully defended her indoor title in March with a season-best clearance of 1.97 metres, securing her second consecutive national crown and moving into joint fifth on the all-time collegiate indoor list.

She maintained that exceptional form outdoors, clearing 1.96 metres to claim the NCAA outdoor title and finish the season tied for the national lead in the high jump.

Her achievements earned her a place alongside Jane Hedengren (BYU), Adaejah Hodge and Dejanea Oakley (Georgia), Sanu Jallow-Lockhart (Arkansas), Axelina Johansson (Nebraska), Alyssa Jones (Stanford), Aaliyah McCormick (Oregon), Hana Moll (Washington) and Shenese Walker (Florida State) on the Bowerman semi-final list.

The award celebrates the best performers in NCAA athletics, and this year's 10 semi-finalists collectively won 17 individual NCAA titles across the indoor and outdoor seasons. Among Adeshina's fellow contenders, Hedengren set collegiate records in the indoor 5,000m and the outdoor 5,000m and 10,000m, Hodge established new collegiate records in the 100m and 200m, while Jallow-Lockhart broke the collegiate 800m record en route to the NCAA title.

The next stage of the race will be decided on June 29 when the finalists are announced, with the eventual winners set to be crowned in December during the USTFCCCA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.

For Adeshina, another prestigious recognition reinforces an extraordinary season and highlights the growing impact of Nigerian athletes on the global stage.