University of North Carolina Athletics

Photo by: Tim Cowie/Tim Cowie Photography
Strand & Wolfe Named To Bowerman Preseason Watch List
January 9, 2025 | Track & Field
NEW ORLEANS - For the first time in program history, North Carolina track and field has two student-athletes on the Bowerman Preseason Watch List at the same time. Both Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe were named to the preseason watchlist on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Strand makes his watch list debut, while Wolfe, a 2024 semifinalist, made his debut on the list last season, but this time marks the first time in his career he earned a spot on the preseason watch list.
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009 and is named after former University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the most outstanding male and female athlete in NCAA and NAIA track & field.
Members of The Bowerman Advisory Board produce these watch lists by voting on their current top-10 active collegiate track & field athletes. The "watch list" represents the group's consensus top 10 for that update.
As of August 2024, 22 winners of The Bowerman have gone on to win 21 Olympic medals — including 11 gold medals — 24 World Championships, 12 Indoor World Championships and 60 total World Championship medals.
Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe opened the indoor season with a bang, running the two fastest 3000m times in NCAA history. Strand shattered the previous 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)
Up Next: Carolina Track and Field will host its lone home meet, The Dick Taylor Invitational on Jan. 17 and 18.
For all the latest UNC Track and Field news, photos, and videos, follow on X, Instagram and Facebook
Strand makes his watch list debut, while Wolfe, a 2024 semifinalist, made his debut on the list last season, but this time marks the first time in his career he earned a spot on the preseason watch list.
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009 and is named after former University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association to the most outstanding male and female athlete in NCAA and NAIA track & field.
Members of The Bowerman Advisory Board produce these watch lists by voting on their current top-10 active collegiate track & field athletes. The "watch list" represents the group's consensus top 10 for that update.
As of August 2024, 22 winners of The Bowerman have gone on to win 21 Olympic medals — including 11 gold medals — 24 World Championships, 12 Indoor World Championships and 60 total World Championship medals.
Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe opened the indoor season with a bang, running the two fastest 3000m times in NCAA history. Strand shattered the previous 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)
Up Next: Carolina Track and Field will host its lone home meet, The Dick Taylor Invitational on Jan. 17 and 18.
For all the latest UNC Track and Field news, photos, and videos, follow on X, Instagram and Facebook
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