The indoor track season is getting ready to pick up as the calendar turns to the new year. Yet, it's never a bad time to look ahead at who could be some of the best individuals in the sport. Here are some way-too-early men's Bowerman frontrunners that could lift the trophy in a little less than a year from now.
10 way-too-early men's Bowerman frontrunners
Athletes listed alphabetically by last name, not ranked.
Mykolas Alekna | California
Mykolas Alekna was a semifinalist for last year's Bowerman. Alekna has also broken the discus collegiate record in each of his first two seasons at Cal, including a The one thing Alekna hasn't gotten during his decorated career is an NCAA title. If Alekna can finally win at the outdoor championships, he could have a Bowerman-worth resume.
Romaine Beckford | Arkansas
Romaine Beckford transferred from South Florida to Arkansas this year after a 2023 season where he swept the indoor-outdoor high jump titles. If Beckford can pull of the feat again, he'd have a strong Bowerman resume.
PORTAL: Tracking the top NCAA track and field transfers
Graham Blanks | Harvard
Graham Blanks was the first men's runner to set a collegiate record this season, doing so in his indoor opener in December. With one collegiate record in the book, Blanks is off to a great start for a possible Bowerman.
RECORDS: Every collegiate track and field record broken in 2024
Jaydon Hibbert | Arkansas
Jaydon Hibbert is the first Bowerman winner to return to school with a shot at repeating since Texas A&M's Deon Lendore attempted the feat in 2015. Hibbert's an obvious choice to make this list.
WINNER: The top moments from Bowerman winner Jaydon Hibbert's 2023 season
Terrence Jones |Texas Tech
Terrence Jones was one of the best college sprinters in 2023, winning the 60 meter title and running the fastest regular season time in the 100 meters. If Jones is one of the top sprinters in 2024, he'll have a strong Bowerman case.
THE BOWERMAN:
Shaun Maswanganyi | Houston
Shaun Maswanganyi has long been a standout sprinter, winning multiple conference titles. However, an NCAA title has eluded him thus far in his career. Is 2024 the year he finally breaks through? If 2023's outdoor championships — where Maswanganyi ran personal-bests in the 100 and 200 — are signs of things to come, the Houston sprinter could be in the Bowerman conversation.
MUST-WATCH: The top indoor track and field meets to watch in 2024
Fouad Messaoudi | Oklahoma State
Fouad Messaoudi saw his name on multiple Bowerman watch lists last year as he won an individual title indoors in the 3000 meters and a DMR title. Messaoudi has shown he has what it takes on the biggest stage where his performances could impress Bowerman voters again in 2024.
BIG NAMES: 50 returning stars for the 2024 collegiate track season
Leo Neugebauer | Texas
Leo Neugebauer was a finalist for last year's Bowerman. He'll join Hibbert as the 15th finalist to return the season after. He'll look to join Ashton Eaton (2010) and Grant Holloway (2019) as returning finalists that ended up winning the Bowerman.
ICYMI: 10 NCAA indoor track and field performances you may have missed from December
Godson Oghenebrume | LSU
Godson Oghenebrume finished second in the 100 meters at outdoor championships and ran on the at LSU. Oghenebrume's progression last season was impressive, and if he continues to run faster with each race, he'll have what it takes to win the Bowerman.
SPRING TIME: Here's when the 2024 outdoor track and field season starts
Ky Robinson | Stanford
Ky Robinson was a semifinalist for last year's Bowerman after winning the 5,000 and 10,000 meter outdoor championships. If Robinson replicate his success outdoors and combine it with an indoor title, he could move beyond the semifinalist stage in 2024.
🧠 WHAT TO KNOW: Wind and scoring explained | Greatest venues | Best uniforms | The difference between indoor and outdoor seasons
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