USTFCCCA Announcement

AUSTIN, Texas – As the Texas Longhorns prepare for the track and field season to begin, one member of the men's team will have the attention of many in the sport. On Thursday, senior Ryan Crouser was listed among the top student-athletes in the nation as the USTFCCCA announced its 2016 Men's Bowerman Watch List.

Crouser was listed among others receiving votes and just outside the official watch list of 10 members. He spent much of last season on the watch list as well.

The thrower only has eligibility during the indoor season this year where he will look to win his fourth overall NCAA title in the shot put and second indoors. Last season, Crouser finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships and fifth outdoors. He also finished fifth in the discus last year at the NCAA meet.

Last season, Crouser was the only collegiate athlete in the shot put to post a mark greater than 21 meters for the second straight year. His closest competition was 20.75 inches behind him indoors and 10 inches outdoors.

During his career, Crouser has set school records in the shot put both indoors and out as well as the discus record. He also owns the Big 12 Conference Championships records in all three. In 2014, Crouser was named USTFCCCA Male Field Event Athlete of the Year after sweeping the indoor/outdoor shot put titles.

The USTFCCCA also announced the 2016 Bowerman Women's Preseason Watch List on Wednesday and update both lists periodically throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. Three men and women will be selected as finalists with the winner of the most prestigious award in collegiate track and field announced during the USTFCCCA Convention next winter.

Created in 2009, The Bowerman, named after legendary former coach of the Oregon Ducks and co-founder of Nike, Bill Bowerman, is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track and field athletes in the nation and has been called by some "The Heisman Trophy of Track and Field."

Since the award's inception, the USTFCCCA has recognized a number of athletes who are among the best in the world today. Past winners and finalists combined to win six medals at the 2012 London Olympics.