Baylor T&F’s Nathaniel Ezekiel Named Big 12 Men’s Performer of the Year

[Hutton, Josie]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – March 6, 2025

Baylor T&F’s Nathaniel Ezekiel Named Big 12 Men’s Performer of the Year
Ezekiel becomes first Bear since 2021 to claim award
For more information contact: Josie Hutton; 254-709-7720, josie_hutton at baylor.edu<mailto:josie_hutton at baylor.edu>



IRVING, Texas – Baylor senior Nathaniel Ezekiel was named the Big 12 Men’s Performer of the Year for the 2025 collegiate indoor track and field season, announced by the conference on Thursday afternoon.



Ezekiel ended the 2025 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Championship with two titles in the 400-meter and the 4x400-meter relay.



The Delta State, Nigeria, native is the first Bear, among a historic list of alumni from ‘Quarter-Mile U’, to race for a sub-45 second mark in the 400m event. At the Big 12 Indoor Championships, Ezekiel ran a 44.74 time, claiming the title while also breaking the conference meet record, Baylor indoor program record and the African indoor record.



In the 4x400 relay, Ezekiel ran the best final leg among the field at 45.29 to come back from being in fourth place and take home the gold. The relay team’s first-place finish marked the first title won for the men’s indoor relay since 2019.



Ezekiel currently ranks No. 1 in the Big 12 and NCAA and No. 2 in the World with his 400m mark. The senior becomes one of four Baylor Bears to earn the Big 12 Men’s Performer of the Year award that began in 1997, joining KC Lightfoot (2021), Reggie Witherspoon (2006, 2007) and Brandon Couts (1999).



The Baylor track and field team concludes the indoor season at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from March 14-15. In entries that were just made official, Ezekiel boasts qualifying marks in the 400m and the 4x400 relay team accompanied by Abbas Ali, Demar Francis and Dillon Bedell. Baylor as a whole will be represented in the women’s 60m, 200m, pole vault and long jump, and the men’s 200m, 400m, 60m hurdles and 4x400 relay.


For the latest news on the Baylor track and field team all year long, follow its official Facebook, X and Instagram accounts: @BaylorTrack.



2025 Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Yearly Award Winners

Men’s Performer of the Year: Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor

Men’s Outstanding Freshman: Tyler Mathews, BYU

Men’s Coach of the Year: Wes Kittley, Texas Tech

Women’s Performer of the Year: Indya Mayberry, TCU

Women’s Outstanding Freshman: Indya Mayberry, TCU

Women’s Coach of the Year: Wes Kittley, Texas Tech



- BaylorBears<http://www.baylorbears/>.com -

Josie Hutton | Associate Director of Athletics Communications (FB, T&F/XC, MTEN)
Department of Athletics | Baylor University
C: (254) 709-7720

[signature_2230589939]<http://www.baylorbears.com/>


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