The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Crouser named semifinalist for Bowerman Award
06.16.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Thrower among sport's elite athletes
AUSTIN, Texas – With his eyes set on qualifying for the Olympics this summer, former Texas thrower Ryan Crouser was honored on Thursday as he was named a semifinalist for the 2016 Bowerman Award. The USTFCCCA announced the 10 semifinalists for the men's version of the award and the four-time NCAA champion is listed among track and field's brightest stars.
Crouser left his mark on the collegiate ranks this year as he tied the all-time best throw indoors by a collegiate athlete at the Big 12 Indoor Championship. Crouser posted a mark of 21.73 meters (71-3.50) to win his eighth Big 12 title in the shot put as he never lost a Big 12 Championship in his primary event.
He closed his college career with a victory at the NCAA Indoor Championships in March when he posted a distance of 21.28 meters (69-9.75).
Crouser had a very consistent senior season for the Longhorns. He threw more than 20 meters in four of his five competitions and missed the fifth by only one centimeter. He tied his previous school record of 21.28 meters at the Husky Classic two weeks prior to his collegiate record at the Big 12 Championship.
His efforts at the conference championship helped the Longhorns finish second in the Big 12 and fifth at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Crouser also received Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors this year in addition to earning Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Crouser was named the USTFCCCA Men's Field Athlete of the Year for his efforts during the indoor season.
Crouser has also been recognized for his academic achievements this season earning CoSIDA Academic All-District and Academic All-Big 12. He graduated this May with his masters in finance and is currently in California at the Olympic Training Center as he prepares for the U.S.A. Olympic Trials to be held in July from Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
Three of the semifinalists will be chosen by the Bowerman Advisory Board as finalists and announced next week. Senior Courtney Okolo was named a women's semifinalist earlier this week.
Created in 2009, The Bowerman, named after legendary former coach of the Oregon Ducks and co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the nation and has been called by some "The Heisman Trophy of Track and Field."
Since the award's inception, the USTFCCCA has recognized a number of athletes who are among the best in the world today. Past winners and finalists combined to win six medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
2016 Men's Bowerman Award Semifinalists (listed alphabetically)
Devon Allen, Oregon
Donavan Brazier, Texas A&M
Edward Cheserek, Oregon
Ryan Crouser, Texas
Jarrion Lawson, Arkansas
Brandon McBride, Mississippi State
Nick Miller, Oklahoma State
Clayton Murphy, Akron
Lindon Victor, Texas A&M
Zach Ziemek, Wisconsin
Players Mentioned
