Carolina’s Champions: The Spirit of UNC Athletics

NEW ORLEANS – For the very first time in the history of the program, North Carolina Track and Field boasts two student-athletes on the Bowerman Preseason Watch List concurrently. Both Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe were included in the preseason watchlist on Thursday, Jan. 9.

Strand is making his debut on the watch list, while Wolfe, a semifinalist from 2024, first appeared in the list last season, marking the first occasion in his career that he secured a placement on the preseason watch list.

The Bowerman, established in 2009 and named in honor of former University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, is awarded annually by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the most exceptional male and female athletes in NCAA and NAIA track & field.

The Bowerman Advisory Board members create these watch lists by voting for their current top 10 active collegiate track & field competitors. The “watch list” signifies the group’s collective top 10 for that particular update.

As of August 2024, 22 individuals who have received The Bowerman award have proceeded to win 21 Olympic medals — comprising 11 gold medals — 24 World Championships, 12 Indoor World Championships, and a total of 60 World Championship medals.

Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe initiated the indoor season impressively, achieving the two swiftest 3000m times in NCAA history. Strand obliterated the preceding record by six seconds. 

Nominations 

Mykolas Alekna, California (Discus)

Johnny Brackins, Jr., Southern California (Hurdles/Jumps)

Chinecherem Nnamdi, Baylor (Javelin)

Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan, Ole Miss (Throws)

Tarsis Orogot, Alabama (Sprints)

Habtom Samuel, New Mexico (Distance)

Ethan Strand, North Carolina (Mid-Distance/Distance)

Ja’Kobe Tharp, Auburn (Hurdles)

Sam Whitmarsh, Texas A&M (Sprints/Mid-Distance)

Parker Wolfe, North Carolina (Distance)

Upcoming: The Carolina Track and Field will organize its singular home meet, The Dick Taylor Invitational on Jan. 17 and 18.

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