Two standout athletes from Brigham Young University (BYU) have made notable strides in the world of collegiate track and field. Jane Hedengren and James Corrigan were named to the preseason watchlist for The Bowerman, a prestigious award recognizing the top male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the United States. Announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association this week, this recognition marks a significant achievement for BYU, as no athlete from the university has ever won this national honor.
Hedengren’s inclusion on the watchlist makes her only the fourth BYU female athlete to receive this recognition, following Lacey Bleazard, Whittni Morgan, and Courtney Wayment. Corrigan, on the other hand, is the third male athlete from BYU to be nominated, preceding Zach McWhorter and Kenneth Rooks. The significance of this achievement is heightened by the fact that both athletes are poised to potentially make history for their university.
Hedengren has quickly made a name for herself. In her first collegiate track race in December 2023, she set a new NCAA record for the 5,000 meters, finishing with a time of 14:44.79. This remarkable performance not only broke the previous record by eight seconds but also made her the first collegiate woman to run under 14:50. Furthermore, she stands out as the only freshman on the list and is the first freshman—regardless of gender—since Mondo Duplantis from Louisiana State University to be included in 2019. Duplantis went on to win two Olympic gold medals in pole vaulting, and his trajectory raises expectations for Hedengren.
Corrigan’s accomplishments also speak volumes about his capabilities. A participant in the 2024 Paris Olympics, he carried his success into 2025 by clinching the NCAA steeplechase national title. His journey reflects the high-level performance and competitive spirit that characterize BYU athletes.
Recognizing the Best in Track and Field
The Bowerman has been awarded annually since 2009, with last year’s winners being Jordan Anthony from Arkansas and Doris Lemngole from Alabama. To compile the preseason watchlist, members of The Bowerman Advisory Board select the top ten collegiate track and field athletes. This selection is based on their performances from December 1, 2025, through the outdoor championship finals in June, with cross-country achievements excluded from consideration.
The Bowerman is a symbol of excellence in collegiate athletics, and its watchlist highlights athletes who have the potential to make significant impacts in their respective events.
Upcoming Announcements and Expectations
The Bowerman season features seven regular-season watchlists, beginning in February. Following the NCAA outdoor championship finals in June, semifinalists will be announced, with finalists revealed later that month. Voting concludes in July, yet the winners will not be unveiled until December, keeping the anticipation high for both athletes and their supporters.
As Hedengren and Corrigan represent BYU on this prestigious stage, their performances in the upcoming season will be closely monitored. Their potential to become the first athletes from their university to win The Bowerman could inspire future generations of runners at BYU and beyond.