T&F’s Ezekiel Named USTFCCCA Outdoor Men’s National Track Athlete of the Year
6/23/2025 4:17:00 PM | Track & Field
Ezekiel becomes first Bear to win award since 2004
NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with Baylor's Nathaniel Ezekiel being named the Men's National Track Athlete of the Year.
The Bowerman watchlist recipient is the first Baylor athlete to win the USTFCCCA award since 2004 in Jeremy Wariner. The award comes after Ezekiel was named South Central Regional Track Athlete of the Year on Friday.
Ezekiel made history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, running his final lap in a Baylor uniform with a personal-best of 47.49 and the No. 3 all-time mark in collegiate history to win the 400-meter hurdles title. The Nigerian senior is the first national champion for Baylor in the 400mH since Bayano Kamani in 2001 and only the third Bear to win the event.
Ezekiel ended his Baylor career with multitudes of honors, including 2025 Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year, a nine-time All-American in the indoor and outdoor seasons and the BU program record holder in the 400mH, the indoor 400m and a member in the indoor 4x400 relay. Most notably, Ezekiel concluded his collegiate career as the only athlete in NCAA history to have multiple all-time top ten marks in the 400mH, owning four.
Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.
Ezekiel will begin his professional career on July 31-August 3 in the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, vying for a spot in the World Championships in Tokyo.
2025 NCAA DI OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL AWARDS
Hana Moll, Washington – National Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Ralford Mullings, Oklahoma – National Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Savannah Sutherland, Michigan – National Women's Track Athlete of the Year
Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor – National Men's Track Athlete of the Year
Karim Abdel Wahab, Georgia – National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year
Kenneth "Ken" Harnden, Auburn – National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year
Caryl Smith Gilbert, Georgia – National Women's Coach of the Year
Quincy Watts, Southern California – National Men's Coach of the Year
The Bowerman watchlist recipient is the first Baylor athlete to win the USTFCCCA award since 2004 in Jeremy Wariner. The award comes after Ezekiel was named South Central Regional Track Athlete of the Year on Friday.
Ezekiel made history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, running his final lap in a Baylor uniform with a personal-best of 47.49 and the No. 3 all-time mark in collegiate history to win the 400-meter hurdles title. The Nigerian senior is the first national champion for Baylor in the 400mH since Bayano Kamani in 2001 and only the third Bear to win the event.
Ezekiel ended his Baylor career with multitudes of honors, including 2025 Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year, a nine-time All-American in the indoor and outdoor seasons and the BU program record holder in the 400mH, the indoor 400m and a member in the indoor 4x400 relay. Most notably, Ezekiel concluded his collegiate career as the only athlete in NCAA history to have multiple all-time top ten marks in the 400mH, owning four.
Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.
Ezekiel will begin his professional career on July 31-August 3 in the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, vying for a spot in the World Championships in Tokyo.
2025 NCAA DI OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL AWARDS
Hana Moll, Washington – National Women's Field Athlete of the Year
Ralford Mullings, Oklahoma – National Men's Field Athlete of the Year
Savannah Sutherland, Michigan – National Women's Track Athlete of the Year
Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor – National Men's Track Athlete of the Year
Karim Abdel Wahab, Georgia – National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year
Kenneth "Ken" Harnden, Auburn – National Men's Assistant Coach of the Year
Caryl Smith Gilbert, Georgia – National Women's Coach of the Year
Quincy Watts, Southern California – National Men's Coach of the Year
Players Mentioned
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track & FieldBaylor Cross Country: David Barnett on the Baylor Coach's Show | August 20, 2025
Friday, August 22
Baylor Track & Field: NCAA Championship Highlights | June 11-14, 2025
Monday, June 16
Just the beginning for the Prince 📈
Monday, June 16
Always been in our corner 🫶
Saturday, June 14
