Geoffrey Kirwa Named Semifinalist for The Bowerman
June 25, 2026 | Track & Field
The 2026 NCAA steeplechase champion becomes the first athlete in program history, male or female, to be named a semifinalist for the most prestigious award in collegiate track & field.
NEW ORLEANS, La. – University of Louisville men's track & field sophomore Geoffrey Kirwa has been named a semifinalist for The Bowerman, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Thursday.
He becomes the first athlete in program history, male or female, to be named a semifinalist for The Bowerman, which is given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's athlete in collegiate track & field.
The native of Kapsabet, Kenya, won the sixth outdoor national title in program history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Jun. 12, capturing gold in the men's 3000m steeplechase after breaking the tape in 8:17.46.
At the Bryan Clay Invitational on Apr. 16, Kirwa notably raced to a steeplechase time of 8:08.10 that currently ranks as the fifth-fastest time in the world in 2026, improved on his own second-fastest time in collegiate history and ACC record, and moved him within three seconds of the long-standing NCAA record of 8:05.4 that was set by Washington State's Henry Rono in 1978.
With his performances at NCAAs and Bryan Clay this season, Kirwa now owns four of the top 10 individual performances in the 3000m steeplechase in NCAA history, including a time of 8:13.89 at the 2025 Bryan Clay Invitational and an 8:17.12 performance to finish as the runner-up at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Along with his success in the steeplechase, Kirwa finished the season with the 11th-fastest 5000m in the NCAA with a time of 13:21.49 that he recorded at the Stanford Invitational on Apr. 3. Additionally, he finished as the ACC bronze medalist in the 5000m, crossing the line in 13:30.19 at the ACC Outdoor Championships on May 16.
The three men's finalists for The Bowerman will be announced on June 30, and the winner will be announced on December 17 at the annual USTFCCCA Convention.
THE BOWERMAN SEMIFINALISTS
Kayinsola Ajayi, Auburn (Sprints)
Simeon Birnbaum, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
Tah Chikomba, Kansas State (Jumps)
Geoffrey Kirwa, Louisville (Steeple/Distance)
Zaza Nnamdi, Texas A&M (Javelin)
Samuel Ogazi, Alabama (Sprints)
Jaiden Reid, LSU (Sprints)
Colin Sahlman, Northern Arizona (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Habtom Samuel, New Mexico (Distance)
Ja'Kobe Tharp, Auburn (Hurdles)
ABOUT THE BOWERMAN
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009 and is named after former University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female athlete in collegiate track & field.
As of November 2025, winners of The Bowerman have earned 22 Olympic medals – including 11 gold medals – 27 World Championship titles, 45 total World Championship medals, and three have set World Records.
Bill Bowerman served the sport of track & field in numerous ways. His leadership as president of the USTFCCCA's predecessor organization, the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association, and his contributions to NCAA track & field and the running community as a whole are among his many lasting legacies.
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and X account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
He becomes the first athlete in program history, male or female, to be named a semifinalist for The Bowerman, which is given annually to the most outstanding men's and women's athlete in collegiate track & field.
The native of Kapsabet, Kenya, won the sixth outdoor national title in program history at the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Jun. 12, capturing gold in the men's 3000m steeplechase after breaking the tape in 8:17.46.
At the Bryan Clay Invitational on Apr. 16, Kirwa notably raced to a steeplechase time of 8:08.10 that currently ranks as the fifth-fastest time in the world in 2026, improved on his own second-fastest time in collegiate history and ACC record, and moved him within three seconds of the long-standing NCAA record of 8:05.4 that was set by Washington State's Henry Rono in 1978.
With his performances at NCAAs and Bryan Clay this season, Kirwa now owns four of the top 10 individual performances in the 3000m steeplechase in NCAA history, including a time of 8:13.89 at the 2025 Bryan Clay Invitational and an 8:17.12 performance to finish as the runner-up at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Along with his success in the steeplechase, Kirwa finished the season with the 11th-fastest 5000m in the NCAA with a time of 13:21.49 that he recorded at the Stanford Invitational on Apr. 3. Additionally, he finished as the ACC bronze medalist in the 5000m, crossing the line in 13:30.19 at the ACC Outdoor Championships on May 16.
The three men's finalists for The Bowerman will be announced on June 30, and the winner will be announced on December 17 at the annual USTFCCCA Convention.
THE BOWERMAN SEMIFINALISTS
Kayinsola Ajayi, Auburn (Sprints)
Simeon Birnbaum, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
Tah Chikomba, Kansas State (Jumps)
Geoffrey Kirwa, Louisville (Steeple/Distance)
Zaza Nnamdi, Texas A&M (Javelin)
Samuel Ogazi, Alabama (Sprints)
Jaiden Reid, LSU (Sprints)
Colin Sahlman, Northern Arizona (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Habtom Samuel, New Mexico (Distance)
Ja'Kobe Tharp, Auburn (Hurdles)
ABOUT THE BOWERMAN
The Bowerman, which debuted in 2009 and is named after former University of Oregon coach Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female athlete in collegiate track & field.
As of November 2025, winners of The Bowerman have earned 22 Olympic medals – including 11 gold medals – 27 World Championship titles, 45 total World Championship medals, and three have set World Records.
Bill Bowerman served the sport of track & field in numerous ways. His leadership as president of the USTFCCCA's predecessor organization, the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association, and his contributions to NCAA track & field and the running community as a whole are among his many lasting legacies.
For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and X account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.
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