Baylor T&F’s Ezekiel Named USTFCCCA Outdoor Men’s National Track Athlete of the Year

[Hutton, Josie]

BAYLOR ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS – June 23, 2025

Baylor T&F’s Ezekiel Named USTFCCCA Outdoor Men’s National Track Athlete of the Year
Ezekiel becomes first Bear to win national award since 2004
For more information contact: Josie Hutton; 254-709-7720, josie_hutton at baylor.edu<mailto:josie_hutton at baylor.edu>



NEW ORLEANS – National Athletes and Coaches of the Year for the 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field season were announced on Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) with Baylor’s Nathaniel Ezekiel being named the Men’s National Track Athlete of the Year.



The Bowerman watchlist recipient is the first Baylor athlete to win the USTFCCCA award since 2004 in Jeremy Wariner. The award comes after Ezekiel was named South Central Regional Track Athlete of the Year on Friday.



Ezekiel made history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, running his final lap in a Baylor uniform with a personal-best of 47.49 and the No. 3 all-time mark in collegiate history to win the 400-meter hurdles title. The Nigerian senior is the first national champion for Baylor in the 400mH since Bayano Kamani in 2001 and only the third Bear to win the event.



Ezekiel ended his Baylor career with multitudes of honors, including 2025 Big 12 Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year, a nine-time All-American in the indoor and outdoor seasons and the BU program record holder in the 400mH, the indoor 400m and a member in the indoor 4x400 relay. Most notably, Ezekiel concluded his collegiate career as the only athlete in NCAA history to have multiple all-time top ten marks in the 400mH, owning four.



Member coaches voted on these honors following the conclusion of 2025 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon, but considered performances throughout the season when voting on these honors.



Ezekiel will begin his professional career on July 31-August 3 in the Toyota USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene, vying for a spot in the World Championships in Tokyo.



2025 NCAA DI OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD NATIONAL AWARDS

Hana Moll, Washington – National Women’s Field Athlete of the Year

Ralford Mullings, Oklahoma – National Men’s Field Athlete of the Year

Savannah Sutherland, Michigan – National Women’s Track Athlete of the Year

Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor – National Men’s Track Athlete of the Year

Karim Abdel Wahab, Georgia – National Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year

Kenneth “Ken” Harnden, Auburn – National Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year

Caryl Smith Gilbert, Georgia – National Women’s Coach of the Year

Quincy Watts, Southern California – National Men’s Coach of the Year



- 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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