Alabama’s Doris Lemngole and Arkansas’ Jordan Anthony were standout collegiate performers this year and were named winners of The Bowerman on Thursday.
Both athletes racked up numerous records across indoor and outdoor campaigns and were among a strong group of finalists who were all on hand in a ceremony in Grapevine, Texas.
For Lemngole, the award is the first time any athlete from Alabama has won The Bowerman, with New Mexico’s Pamela Kosgei and Michigan’s Savannah Sutherland joining her as their school’s first-ever finalists for the prize.
In 2025, Lemngole was locked in on dominance and was equally effective in the 3,000m steeplchase and 5,000m on her way to four national titles. Lemngole grabbed the indoor 5,000-meter and outdoor 3,000-meter steeplechase championships, was the national runner-up for the indoor 3,000m but also won three SEC tiles in the indoor 3,000m, outdoor 3,000m steeplechase and the outdoor 5,000m.
Lemngole is the record holder in the indoor 5,000m (14:52.57) and outdoor 3,000m steeplechase (8:58.15).
“I would not be here without the people who have supported me in every step of my journey,” Lemngole said during her acceptance speech for the women’s award. “Thank you so much to coach Nick and coach Dan for believing in me and pushing me beyond what I thought was possible. To my teammates, thank for making every day better and every mile worth it.”
Meanwhile, Anthony showed his versatility on the track and football field for Arkansas and was among a stacked trio of finalists for the men’s award that included Baylor’s Nathaniel Ezekiel and Auburn’s Ja’Kobe Tharp.
Anthony is the third Arkansas athlete to win The Bowerman, following Jarrion Lawson (2016) and Jaydon Hibbert (2023) and boosted his profile on the national stage this year with national titles in the indoor 60m and outdoor 100m along with winning the outdoor SEC crowns in the 100m and 200m. He also turned heads with a 9.75 in the 100m that tied the world lead for 2025.
“Even after suffering a foot injury and undergoing surgery that sidelined me for an entire season, I made a promise that when I returned we would change the narrative” Anthony said. “Arkansas would be known as a sprint school — and not a mid-distance school. Alongside my teammates, we committed to the vision and together we made it reality.”
Arkansas now has the most Bowerman men’s winners with three since the award was established in 2009. Oregon, Florida and Florida State are all tied with two men’s recipients.
