Nigerian hurdler Nathaniel Ezekiel has been named the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year, capping off a historic season with Baylor University..
The announcement was made on Monday by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) following a vote by NCAA member coaches. Ezekiel becomes only the second Baylor athlete to receive the award, joining 2004 winner and Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner.
Nathaniel Ezekiel historic season and record-breaking performances
Born in Delta State, Nigeria, Nathaniel Ezekiel stunned the collegiate athletics world with a personal best time of 47.49 seconds to win gold in the men’s 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships held in Eugene, Oregon earlier this month.
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That performance not only secured him the national title but also elevated him to third on the all-time collegiate list in the 400m hurdles.
Nathaniel Ezekiel’s season was packed with elite-level consistency. He became the first athlete in NCAA history to post multiple top-ten all-time marks in a single 400m hurdles season not just twice, but an astounding four times, underlining his dominance in 2025.
African Record Breaker and Bowerman Finalist
Earlier in the year, Ezekiel made headlines when he shattered the African indoor 400m record, clocking 44.74 seconds at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Indoor Championships in Texas. The time ranks eighth globally on the all-time list for the event.
Nathaniel Ezekiel also successfully defended his Big 12 Conference title in the 400m hurdles, winning in 47.89 seconds a new championship record and delivered a string of commanding performances that earned him a spot among the final contenders for The Bowerman Award.
The Bowerman, regarded as the most prestigious individual honour in US collegiate track and field, will be awarded in December. Named after legendary coach Bill Bowerman, the prize is presented annually to the top male and female athletes based on their indoor and outdoor season performances. The final selection involves a vote by coaches, media, analysts, and fans.
Other NCAA Honourees
In addition to Ezekiel, several other athletes and coaches were recognised by the USTFCCCA.
Jamaica’s Ralford Mullings earned the National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year following a record-breaking discus throw.
Savannah Sutherland of Michigan was named the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year after smashing the collegiate 400m hurdles record.
Coaching honours went to Quincy Watts of USC and Caryl Smith Gilbert of Georgia for leading their respective teams to national titles.
Ezekiel’s landmark year continues to cement Nigeria’s growing presence on the global athletics stage. With the World Championships and Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, his progression from collegiate sensation to world-class athlete appears all but certain.
