Grand Canyon University will enter the Mountain West Conference on July 8, 2025, and immediately participate in regular-season competition and conference championships beginning this fall. The conference’s board of directors approved GCU’s entry, jump-starting the Lopes’ move to one of the nation’s premier conferences.
 
GCU joins a high-profile conference that consists of competitive institutions with national brands, passionate fan bases and first-class facilities. GCU will become the 12th member of a powerful conference that includes the United States Air Force Academy, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Wyoming, as well as, for one more year, Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, San Diego State University and Utah State University. In 2026, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa will move from football only to full member status and new members University of California, Davis, University of Texas at El Paso and Northern Illinois University (football only) will join the Mountain West.
 
Lopes teams will immediately compete for conference championships in 17 sports, beginning in less than two months when fall sports including women’s volleyball, women’s soccer and cross country get underway. Conference schedules that have been released previously will be amended for GCU’s inclusion.

“The addition of Grand Canyon for the 2025-26 academic year is a significant win for the student-athletes at GCU and in the Mountain West,” Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said. “Grand Canyon brings elite recruiting, a passionate fan base, and state-of-the-art facilities, elevating the Mountain West’s competitiveness and national profile. In a time when the student-athlete experience is of utmost importance, we felt it was in the best interest to allow them to compete for conference championships and the NCAA postseason immediately. GCU is a great addition to the Mountain West and positively raises the competition level in the league.”

 

The Mountain West is coming off yet another strong year where it ranked sixth in conference strength in men’s basketball and softball, seventh in women’s volleyball, eighth in women’s basketball, 11th in women’s soccer and 14th in baseball out of over 30 Division I conferences. Four teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament in men’s basketball, continuing a strong history of sending several teams to March Madness. The Mountain West has sent at least four men’s basketball teams to the NCAA Tournament in four straight years, highlighted by six qualifying teams in 2024.

 

GCU has experienced remarkable success in its first 12 years at the Division I level and as members of the WAC, claiming 76 conference championships. The university also won seven WAC Commissioner’s Cups including the last five consecutively, given to the league’s top-performing athletic department.

 

“The strong support of President Brian Mueller and the entire university community has led to tremendous competitive success, positioning GCU for this move to a conference as strong as the Mountain West,” GCU Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs said. “We are thankful to the coaches, student-athletes and staff, with the backing of the Havocs, the greatest student section in college sports, that have worked tirelessly to build a nationally competitive athletic department to earn this opportunity. We want to thank Commissioner Nevarez and the member institutions, and we are eager to compete for championships with our new peers in the Mountain West.”

 

GCU is coming off another successful athletics year in 2024-25. The men’s and women’s basketball teams combined to go 58-11 (.841), win conference tournament championships and appear in the NCAA Tournament. The men’s basketball program has appeared in four of the last five tournaments and advanced to the second round in 2024 with a win over Saint Mary’s. On the softball diamond, GCU made its debut in the top 25 and won a game in the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season. Men’s golf and women’s tennis each returned to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year, while men’s indoor track and field won its eighth conference championship in its last nine tries.

 

The move marks another step in GCU’s remarkable transformation as the largest private Division I university in the nation. Residing in the heart of Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the U.S., GCU has gone from nearly closing its doors 20 years ago to having an enrollment this fall of over 25,000 on its campus and over 100,000 students studying online. With over 17,000 students living in its 32 on-campus residence halls, GCU is also the largest residential campus among private universities in the country and is ranked No. 21 for best college campuses in America by Niche.com. The enrollment growth reflects significant expansion in academic offerings, growing from 4 to 10 distinct colleges and from 100 academic programs, emphases and certificates to over 350.

 

“I think, holistically, what has transpired at GCU over the last 15-16 years has been one of the most remarkable transformations I have ever seen,” said Jerry Colangelo, GCU Board of Trustees member, former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks and former chairman of USA Basketball. “GCU is doing it the right way on every level – in the classroom, in the community and on the playing field.”

 

As previously announced, GCU will be an affiliate member of the WAC in men’s soccer, an affiliate member of The Big West in men’s swimming and diving, and will remain in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation for beach volleyball.

 

Twin Cities volleyball coach charged with sexually assaulting 17-year-old player originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A volleyball coach from Burnsville has been charged with sexually assaulting one of her underage players.

Brooke Reinhardt, 24, of Rosemount, is charged with three counts 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct by someone in a position of authority, with the victim a 17-year-old boy.

Reinhardt is listed as the coach of the Burnsville High School varsity boys volleyball team.

According to the charges, a man found the 17-year-old’s wallet in his apartment after returning from being out of state between June 23 and 29. The man said Reinhardt had been looking after his home while he was out of town, and that the victim “had never been in [his] home and had no reason to be,” the complaint states.

When he called Reinhardt about the discovery and told her he was upset with what he found, she allegedly said “okay” and “okay, bye.”

The 17-year-old was interviewed and said he’d forgotten his wallet and that his coach, Reinhardt, had sent him a text saying he’d forgotten it in her car, saying that she had given him a ride to practice in Maple Grove on June 28, before bringing him home.

The teen initially told police that his relationship with Reinhardt was that of a “coach and athlete” and that she was nice, but they had not spent any time together other than for playing volleyball.

When the victim allowed officers to check his phone, they allegedly found texts from Reinhardt telling him “he had a lot of things to delete,” the complaint states, as well as texts about condoms.

The victim then told officers Reinhardt had been helping him with a social situation that led to them hanging out more often. This allegedly led to them getting food together, and then “kissing,” with the teen saying they had started “dating” two to three months earlier.

After initially saying it had not progressed beyond kissing and watching TV, the teen allegedly admitted when asked about the condom texts that “they had penetrative sex,” per the complaint.

He claimed the first time happened at Reinhardt’s Rosemount house about a month earlier, with the second time at the Burnsville apartment on June 28. The teen also said Reinhardt had sent him nude pictures.

Reinhardt was arrested on July 2 and during interview, she claimed the boy had left his wallet in her car after she drove him to practice, and described their relationship as coach and player.

She later allegedly admitted that in May she had engaged in sexual acts in her vehicle with the boy, and admitted to having sex with him at her house, the boy’s house, and the Burnsville man’s apartment. She also admitted sending the boy nude pictures.

WCCO reports Reinhardt was hired in September 2023, with Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District saying that while it can’t release personnel information, it is fully cooperating with police on the matter “and will take appropriate actions as dictated by district policies and state law.”

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

Five content creators and 27 sports media professionals have been selected for the Content Creator Programme and the World Athletics Media Academy, respectively, as World Athletics aims to nurture the next generation of talent.

By addressing critical gaps in talent, diversity and expertise, the Media Academy is designed to ensure a bright future for the storytelling of athletics – in journalism, photography and broadcast commentary.

Running alongside this is the Content Creator Programme, which was established in 2023 and has become a launch pad for content creators within the sport – providing a platform for talented creatives on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

The inaugural edition of the Media Academy will take centre stage during the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25 in September, when the 27 selected journalists, photographers and TV commentators will have the unique opportunity of covering the prestigious event in person.

The journalist section of the initiative is delivered in partnership with the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), offering young reporters the chance to develop their skills in Tokyo where they will be guided by leading international mentors. The participants were chosen following an online part of the project that launched in February.

The photographer workshop, in collaboration with Sony, will see 11 young professionals learn from some of the world’s best athletics photographers and news agencies in Tokyo, to sharpen their visual storytelling skills covering athletics.

The TV commentator programme will involve aspiring broadcasters being mentored by seasoned commentators, gaining hands-on experience and insight into live athletics production during the championships.

This multifaceted Media Academy underlines World Athletics’ commitment to fostering high-quality global coverage of the sport by investing directly in the next generation of athletics media professionals. In total, 27 participants – 14 women and 13 men – from 19 countries across all continental areas are represented. They include AIPS Young Reporters Programme finalists and former track stars such as Olympic champions Wilfred Bungei and Tonique Williams, as they aim to kick off their international broadcast careers.

World Athletics Media Academy class of 2025

Journalism: Camila Alves (BRA), Louis Boulay (FRA), Andjela Cegar (CRO) Anushe Engineer (PAK), Beatrice Go (PHI), Nika Kljucaric (CRO), Martin Moses (KEN), Pierre Pillet (SUI), Annika Saunus (GER), Ainhoa Serrano (ESP), Jasmine Trapnell (GBR), Lucijan Zalokar (SLO)

Photography: Hassan Omar Wamwayi (UGA), Diogo Cardoso (POR), Birgit Dieryck (BEL), Anastasia Karekla (CYP), Mate Ladjanszki (HUN), Annabel Lee-Ellis (GBR), Kenichiro Ogane (JPN), Will Palmer (GBR), Pamela Smith (USA), Ross Turteltaub (USA), Eric Wu (AUS)

Commentary: Wilfred Bungei (KEN), Martin Keino (KEN), Rosie Tinbergen (GBR), Tonique Williams (BAH)

Five more creatives will have their work showcased on World Athletics’ digital channels following their selection to the Content Creator Programme.

More than 800 applications from all around the world were received for the Content Creator Programme following the 2025 launch in April and the five selected creatives – from five different countries – will now create TikTok, YouTube and Instagram content for World Athletics’ platforms.

Content Creator Programme class of 2025

Ajay Allen (USA)
A cinematographer and filmmaker, and a student athlete hurdler at the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

Leila Gammouh (FRA)
A photographer and social media expert.

Fette (Jorge Larco) (ECU)
An illustrator best known for his cycling illustrations, exploring a new interest in athletics.

Sikhalo Mguni (GBR)
A full-time engineer and rising athletics content creator with a lot of passion for the sport.

Herbert Thomas (JAM)
A filmmaker and photographer with a lifelong passion for athletics.

World Athletics

The dynamic world of athletic apparel is marked by two titans vying for dominance: NIKE Inc. NKE, the undisputed global sportswear giant, and lululemon athletica inc. LULU, the sleek disruptor redefining performance and lifestyle wear. While NIKE commands a massive share of the global market with its broad-based portfolio spanning footwear, apparel and equipment, lululemon has carved out a powerful niche with its premium, direct-to-consumer model and cult-like brand following, particularly in women’s athleisure.

This face-off goes beyond brand popularity; it is a strategic battle between legacy and innovation, mass appeal and targeted lifestyle curation. As shifting consumer preferences, digital engagement, and global expansion reshape the activewear landscape, NIKE and lululemon are rewriting the rules of competition. 

Who has the edge in market share? Who is best-positioned to lead the next chapter in performance wear? Let us dive into the fundamentals of these bigwigs.

The Case for NIKE

NIKE stands as a global powerhouse in athleticwear, commanding a dominant share of the consumer discretionary sector with its vast portfolio spanning NIKE, Jordan and Converse. The brand caters to a wide range of demographics, from elite athletes to Gen Z consumers, with deep penetration across key performance categories like running, basketball and sportswear. Despite macroeconomic pressures and internal challenges, NKE maintains unmatched visibility and influence across global retail and wholesale channels.

In fiscal 2025, NIKE launched its “Win Now” strategy, aimed at revitalizing growth by refocusing on sport-led innovation, streamlining leadership and rebalancing its product mix. Key franchises like the Air Force 1 and Dunk are being right-sized, while performance-driven launches such as the Vomero 18 and A’ja Wilson’s A-ONE have seen rapid sell-through.

The company is reorganizing teams by sport rather than gender to deepen athlete relationships and create more relevant, high-impact product assortments. This shift, along with partnerships with Amazon, JD Sports and Aritzia, is already showing signs of marketplace traction.

However, there are certain near-term headwinds. Fiscal 2025 revenues declined 10% year over year, with fourth-quarter EPS at 14 cents, reflecting the financial impacts of repositioning efforts and elevated promotional activities. NIKE faces ongoing softness in China, continued pressure from new U.S. tariffs (estimated at $1 billion), and a pullback in digital traffic as the brand transitions to a full-price model. Elevated inventory levels and reduced demand in classic franchises like Dunk also weigh on the performance, with management expecting these pressures to persist through the first half of fiscal 2026.

Despite these challenges, NIKE’s holiday order book is improving, and the repositioning of NIKE Digital is expected to lift margins. As it heads into fiscal 2026 with an energized brand, cleaner inventory and a powerful sports-led product pipeline, NKE is well-positioned for long-term, sustainable growth.

The Case for lululemon

LULU continues to outperform in the premium activewear segment, commanding a growing market share in men’s and women’s categories. In first-quarter fiscal 2025, revenues rose 7% year over year to $2.4 billion, with the gross margin expanding 60 basis points (bps) to 58.3% and EPS of $2.60. The brand’s distinct positioning, blending performance, comfort and style, resonates with its target demographic of high-income, wellness-focused consumers.

With 770 stores worldwide and 41% of sales from its digital channel, lululemon is building a powerful omnichannel engine. Growth remains well-balanced, led by a 22% constant-currency increase in China and 17% in the Rest of World segment, while store productivity and digital engagement stay strong.

Strategically, lululemon is leaning into innovation and global expansion. Its product pipeline is gaining traction with launches like the Daydrift trouser, No Line Align leggings and the Glow Up performance line, all aimed at establishing new core franchises. lululemon’s marketing engine, rooted in grassroots activations and social storytelling, continues to elevate brand equity and deepen customer loyalty.

The company remains focused on its “Power of Three X2” strategy, growing product categories, expanding internationally and doubling digital revenues, while maintaining premium price positioning and high full-price sell-throughs.

However, near-term headwinds loom. U.S. traffic trends remain soft, leading to cautious markdown assumptions for the second half of fiscal 2025. Elevated tariffs are also expected to pressure the gross margin, with a projected 110-bps decline for the year. Despite these challenges, lululemon’s strong balance sheet ($1.3 billion in cash, no debt), disciplined cost management and resilient brand positioning support its long-term growth outlook.

How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for NKE & LULU?

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NIKE’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies year-over-year declines of 1.5% and 21.8%, respectively. The EPS estimate has moved down by a penny in the past seven days.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for lululemon’s fiscal 2025 sales suggests year-over-year growth of 5.7%, while that for EPS indicates a decline of 1%. The EPS estimate has edged down 2.1% in the past 30 days.

This clearly illustrates that both NIKE and lululemon have witnessed downward estimate revision trends in the past 30 days. Moreover, estimates for both NKE and LULU indicate year-over-year declines in earnings for the current year.

Price Performance & Valuation of NKE & LULU

Shares of both NIKE and lululemon have shown soft year-to-date trends due to the ongoing troubles in their businesses and the rising tariff imposition-related concerns. Year to date, NIKE shares have inched up 1.2%, while lululemon stock has lost 37.9%.

NIKE is trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 42.85X, above its median of 30.77X in the last five years. lululemon’s forward P/E multiple sits at 15.83X, below its median of 30.78X in the last five years.

lululemon’s stock looks cheap from a valuation perspective. Moreover, investments in product innovation, guest experience and market expansion, as part of the Power of Three X2 growth plan, highlight its growth prospects.

NIKE does seem pricey. However, its valuations reflect its focus on repositioning itself to be more competitive and drive sustainable, profitable long-term growth. If the company sustains its execution, the premium can be warranted.

Conclusion

As the activewear industry transforms, both NIKE and lululemon present compelling, yet contrasting, investment narratives. NKE, despite recent challenges, is showing signs of a rebound. The stock has regained ground year to date, underpinned by improving wholesale momentum, a more disciplined digital strategy and an invigorated focus on performance products. While earnings estimates have been revised downward, the adjustment has been relatively modest, suggesting investor confidence in NIKE’s execution of its “Win Now” strategy and its ability to navigate headwinds without losing long-term footing.

lululemon remains a growth-driven disruptor, but near-term sentiment is cautious. The stock has corrected meaningfully as concerns around U.S. consumer softness, elevated tariffs and markdown pressures weigh on forecasts. However, LULU’s long-term strategy, anchored in product innovation, brand intimacy and international expansion, remains intact. Investors may need to weather short-term volatility, but the brand’s lean operating model and global runway position it for future outperformance.

NIKE offers defensive stability with potential upside as it sharpens execution, while lululemon presents a high-quality growth opportunity at a more attractive valuation. Investors must weigh near-term volatility against long-term brand strength; both companies remain central players in the future of activewear.

NIKE and lululemon currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

The Bowerman is the premier award in collegiate track and field, highlighting the top athlete in the sport for both men and women. While the award isn’t officially announced until December at the annual USTFCCCA convention, the Bowerman committee releases watch lists throughout the year before the award’s final announcement.

That begs the question, how do the Bowerman watch lists correlate to the award’s eventual winner? If the watch lists often feature the winner at a certain point in the season or if the eventual winners throughout the history of the award have had a minimum number of watch-list appearances, we may be able to predict the eventual Bowerman winner from the watch lists. 

Using data from and leading up to every men’s and women’s Bowerman Award from 2010-2024, let’s find out how the Bowerman watch lists predict the award’s final winner.

The preseason watch list

Almost every year, the Bowerman committee releases a preseason watch list ahead of the indoor track and field season. From the release of the preseason watch list it’s an 11-month wait until the winner is announced. However, the watch lists aren’t for nought as the data shows some correlation between making the preseason watch list and finishing in the final rounds of the award.

Preseason to winner

Men

In all but four years of the Bowerman releasing a men’s preseason watch list, the eventual winner of the award found his name on the preseason list. Only Ngoni Makusha (2011), Cam Levins (2012), Michael Norman (2018) and true freshman Jaydon Hibbert (2023) won the Bowerman after failing to appear on the preseason watch list.

From the winners, only three — Ashton Eaton (2010), Grant Holloway (2019) and Leo Neugebauer (2024) — were returning finalists and only two were returning semifinalists — Deon Lendore (2014) and JuVaughn Harrison (2021).

There is a COVID-asterisk for preseason watch lists as no preseason list was released before JuVaughn Harrison won the 2021 Bowerman, but Harrison was a preseason watch list member in 2020 — and made the two ensuing watch lists after that — before the 2020 season was cancelled.

Counting Harrison, that’s 11 of 14 men’s Bowerman winners that appeared on a preseason watch list. So there’s only a 21 percent chance of winning the men’s Bowerman if an athlete isn’t on the preseason watch list.

THE BOWERMAN: Complete history of the track and field honor

Women

On the women’s side, 4 of 14 years saw the Bowerman winner not on the preseason watch list, with Sha’Carri Richardson (2019)  winning the award as a true freshman. Brianna Rollins (2013) and Queen Harrison (2010) also didn’t appear on preseason watch lists. 2016’s winner, Courtney Okolo, didn’t appear on the preseason watch list, but she did finish as a finalist for the award in 2014.

Kimberlyn Duncan (2012) and Keturah Orji (2018) join Okolo as the only returning finalists to win the women’s Bowerman. Orji is the only woman to have finished as a finalist twice (2016, 2017) before winning the award. Jenna Prandini (2015) is the only woman to win the Bowerman after finishing as a semifinalist the year prior.

There is a COVID-asterisk for preseason watch lists as no preseason list was released before Athing Mu won the 2021 Bowerman as a true freshman.

Not counting Mu, there’s about 29 percent chance of a woman winning the Bowerman without appearing on the preseason watch list.

WATCH LIST: The 2023 Bowerman watch list for men’s and women’s NCAA track and field

Preseason to finalist

Here’s the data when projecting the men’s preseason watch list to the final three finalists. 

• There’s only a 33 percent chance (13/39 athletes) of making the men’s finalists without making the preseason watch list.
• 23 percent of the time (3/14 years) all three finalists were on the preseason watch list. 
• 77 percent of the time (10/13 years) at least two of the three finalists were on the preseason watch list.
• 23 percent of the time (3/14 years)  has there been ONLY one men’s finalist (2018, 2023 and 2024) on the preseason watch list.
• There has never been a year when zero men’s finalists appeared on the preseason watch list.

Here’s the data when projecting the women’s preseason watch list to the final three finalists. 

• There’s a 48 percent chance (20/42 athletes) of making the women’s finalists without making the preseason watch list.
• 28 percent of the time (4/14 years) all three finalists were on the preseason watch list. 
• 43 percent of the time (6/14 years) at least two of the three finalists were on the preseason watch list.
• 36 percent of the time (5/14 years) ONLY one women’s finalist appeared on the preseason watch list.
• There have been two years (2010 and 2019) where zero women’s finalists appeared on the preseason watch list, a 14 percent chance.

: Here are the DI track and field teams with most NCAA championships

Returning Finalists

Sometimes, a Bowerman finalist has remaining eligibilty that allows them to return to school for another year. Does that mean we should pencil said athlete as the next Bowerman winner? Let’s look at the data.

Men

Every returning men’s Bowerman finalist has opened the season on the preseason watch list except in 2012 when German Fernandez, a finalist from three years prior in 2009, received votes. On five occasions, most recently in 2024, returning finalist Leo Neugebauer made it to the preseason watch list. Deon Lendore in 2015 is the only returning finalist to attempt a back-to-back Bowerman win.

Of the 14 returning finalists through 2024, seven finished as at least a semifinalist. Edward Cheserek finished as a finalist from 2014-16 and finished as a semifinalist in 2017. Cheserek has the most finalist appearances of any men’s Bowerman candidate. In 2010, 2019 and 2024, Ashton Eaton, Grant Holloway and Leo Neugebauer won the Bowerman as returning finalists, respectively.

Women

A returning women’s Bowerman finalist has opened the season on the preseason watch list every year except in 2016 when Courtney Okolo, a finalist from two years prior in 2014, received votes. In 2018, three returning finalists made it to the preseason watch list.

Of the 14 returning finalists, nine finished as at least a semifinalist. That’s 64 percent. 6-14 returning finalists finished as at least a finalist in their next campaign (43 percent), with Kimberlyn Duncan (2012), Courtney Okolo (2016) and Keturah Orji (2018) winning the Bowerman.

: Wind and scoring in track and field, explained

Watch list appearances

Let’s figure out the latest a potential Bowerman winner can make their season debut on a watch list and the average number of watch list appearances for Bowerman winners.

Men

Earlier you read that 11 (-ish) men’s Bowerman winners landed on the preseason watch list before they won, but here’s where the other Bowerman winners made their first appearances. 2018 winner Michael Norman first appeared in Update 2, while 2011 and 2012 winners Ngoni Makusha and Cam Levins, respectively, made their first appearances in Update 5 — the latest in Bowerman history. 2023 winner Jaydon Hibbert, a true freshman, first appeared in Update 3 after winning an indoor title. Trends indicate that the earlier an athlete makes their first Bowerman watch list appearance, the better the chance the athlete has to win.

Once the Bowerman winner appears on a watch list, he has never dropped off the watch list. In fact, only 14 of 138 (10 percent) of men’s Bowerman watch lists (including semfinalists and finalist lists) have not included the eventual winner.

Women

We’ve already discussed the eight women’s Bowerman winners that landed on the preseason watch list before they won, but earlier appearances on the watch list tend to be a better indicator of future Bowerman success. Three more Bowerman winners appeared on a watch list by Update 1, including 2021’s winner Athing Mu when there wasn’t a preseason watch list because of COVID-19. 2016’s winner Courtney Okolo appeared on the watch list for the first time at Update 2. The latest any woman has ever appeared on a Bowerman watch list and won was in 2019 when Sha’Carri Richardson appeared on the watch list in Update 6 (more on that later).

The data shows that the eventual Bowerman winner year-to-year will be known before we reach indoor conference championships. 

Once the Bowerman winner appears on a watch list, she has never dropped off the watch list. In fact, only 10 of 138 (seven percent) women’s Bowerman watch lists (including semfinalists and finalist lists) have not included the eventual winner. That number drops to three percent if taking away 2019’s outlier season.

TRACK 101: Can you touch hurdles, dropping batons, false starts and more FAQs

The weight of the outdoor season

How far can you go without indoor success?

The Bowerman takes into account both the indoor and outdoor seasons. While it is rare, athletes have used strong outdoor seasons to overcome not being on a Bowerman watch list after the indoor season. Here are the numbers.

Men

Only six of 42 have been named a Bowerman finalist without appearing on the post-indoor watch list. 2011-2013 and 2023-2024 were the years where at least one finalist wasn’t on the post-indoor watch list. 2011 and 2012’s Bowerman winners — Ngoni Makusa and Cam Levins, respectively — weren’t on the post-indoor watch list and didn’t appear until Update 5. Andrew Riley (2012), Julian Wruck (2013), Leo Neugebauer (2023) and Caleb Dean (2024) are the other three Bowerman finalists that weren’t on the post-indoor watch list. There’s only a 14 percent chance that a man can become a Bowerman finalist without appearing on the watch list after the indoor season.

Women

Only 12 of 45 women have been named a Bowerman finalist without appearing on the post-indoor watch list. 2011, 2013, 2017 and 2024 saw one finalist that wasn’t on the post-indoor watch list. 2014 and 2025 saw two finalists that weren’t on the post-indoor watch list. Impressively, no Bowerman finalist in 2019 was on the post-indoor watch list, with Janeek Brown not appearing until Update 5 on May 1, while Yanis David and eventual winner Sha’Carri Richardson didn’t appear on a watch list until Update 6 after outdoor conference championships. There’s only a 27 percent chance that a women can become a Bowerman finalist without appearing on the watch list after indoor season.

RECORDS: Unbreakable men’s records | Unbreakable women’s records

Can outdoor championships lead to a semifinalist?

The DI outdoor track and field championships are the final chance for athletes to showcase their skills to the Bowerman committee. There have been a few athletes to have such a spectacular performance at outdoor championships that they end up as a semifinalist despite not being on a Bowerman watch list before championships. 

Men

A man has been named a Bowerman semifinalist after not appearing on the watch list that released before outdoor championships 47 of 150 times (31 percent). 28 of those 47 men (60 percent) made their first Bowerman watch list appearance of the season as a semifinalist after the outdoor championships. 

Twelve men from the 47 appeared as semifinalists after outdoor championships after previously appearing on the post-indoor championship Bowerman watch list (Update 3). These men fell off the watch list during the outdoor season but likely returned as semifinalists thanks to indoor and outdoor season success at championships.

Marquis Dendy (2014) is the only man to appear on the preseason Bowerman watch list and make the Bowerman semifinalists without appearing on any other watch list in between.

Women

A woman has been named a Bowerman semifinalist after not appearing on the watch list that released before outdoor championships 44 of 150 times (29 percent).

23 of those 44 women (52 percent) made their first Bowerman watch list appearance of the season as a semifinalist after the outdoor championships. Sharika Nelvis (2014) and Savannah Sutherland (2025) are the only athletes to ever make their first Bowerman watch list appearance of the season as a semifinalist and advance to become a finalist.

11 women from the 44 appeared as semifinalists after outdoor championships after previously appearing on the post-indoor championship Bowerman watch list (Update 3). These women fell off the watch list during the outdoor season but likely returned as semifinalists thanks to indoor and outdoor season success at championships.

Semoy Hackett (2010), Shamier Little (2015) and Allie Ostrander (2019) are the only women to appear on the preseason Bowerman watch list and make the Bowerman semifinalists without appearing on any other watch list in between.