Ezekiel Nathaniel

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Nigeria’s Nathaniel Ezekiel has been named the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year to cap off a dominant collegiate season with Baylor University which has now earned him one of the most prestigious honours in American college athletics, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The honour was announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association following a vote by NCAA member coaches on Monday and Ezekiel becomes only the second athlete in Baylor’s history to receive the award, joining Olympic gold medallist Jeremy Wariner who last won it in 2004.

The Delta State-born athlete won the national title in the men’s 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon earlier this month, clocking a personal record of 47.49s.

The performance not only earned the gold medal but also placed him third on the all-time collegiate list in the event’s history.

His 2025 campaign also made him the only athlete in collegiate history to post multiple top-ten all-time marks in the 400m hurdles within a single season.

While “multiple” typically means two, Ezekiel achieved the feat four times, which further underlines his elite level on the track this year.

This accolade adds to a growing list of achievements for Ezekiel in 2025.

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Earlier in the year, he shattered the African indoor 400m record with a 44.74s run at the Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships in Texas, placing him eighth on the global all-time list for the event.

His victory at the NCAA finals followed a series of commanding performances throughout the season, including a successful defence of his Big 12 Conference title with a championship record of 47.89s.

Ezekiel’s consistent excellence throughout the season also earned him a place among the final contenders for The Bowerman, the highest individual honour in US collegiate track and field.

The award, named after legendary Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, recognises the best male and female athletes based solely on their performances during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

The final winner will be announced in December following a vote by a panel comprising coaches, media, statisticians, and fans.

The NCAA also named other top athletes and coaches in its end-of-season awards.

Jamaica’s Ralford Mullings won the National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year after a record-breaking discus throw, while Savannah Sutherland of Michigan claimed the Women’s Track Athlete of the Year after smashing the 400m hurdles collegiate record.

The top coaching honours went to Quincy Watts of Southern California and Caryl Smith Gilbert of Georgia for their roles in leading their teams to national titles.

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