University of Georgia Athletics
Track’s Garland Included As A Finalist For The Bowerman
June 27, 2023 | Track & Field
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia decathlete Kyle Garland has been named one of three finalists for The Bowerman, which is collegiate track and field's version of the Heisman Trophy, according to an announcement from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Tuesday.
Garland joins Arkansas freshman jumper Jaydon Hibbert and Texas senior decathlete Leo Neugebauer as the three finalists. This marks the first time in the history of The Bowerman that all three male finalists are field event athletes.
The Bowerman, which is given annually to the most outstanding male and female NCAA track and field athletes in the nation, was first awarded in 2009. The first official watch lists and semifinalists were announced in 2010. The 2023 female finalists – Texas' Julien Alfred, Florida's Jasmine Moore and Arkansas' Britton Wilson – were announced on Monday.
The only four-time Bowerman semifinalist on the women's side in history is also the Bulldogs' only Bowerman winner. Garland, who has been named a semifinalist twice, is the first Bulldog male finalist and now joins three-time finalist Orji (2016-18) as the only Georgia finalists in history.
Garland, a Philadelphia, Pa., native, scored the third-best decathlon total in collegiate history and the third-best world total in 2023 with an 8,630 to earn silver at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He won three of 10 events at Nationals, including registering the top all-time collegiate decathlon 110-meter hurdle time (13.54). The USTFCCCA Outdoor South Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year captured the Southeastern Conference decathlon title with the No. 4 all-time collegiate score (meet record 8,589). In addition, he launched the shot put an all-time collegiate decathlon best distance of 16.77 meters/55 feet, ¼ inches at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Indoors, the 2023 USTFCCCA National and South Regional Men's Field Athlete of the Year as well as 2023 Track & Field News' Collegiate Indoor Male Athlete of the year destroyed the collegiate record – and fell just six points shy of the world record – in the heptathlon to win the combined event at the NCAA Championships. He finished with 6,639 points, which was 140 points more than two-time Olympic gold medalist Ashton Eaton scored to win the 2010 NCAA title for the previous collegiate record.
During the indoor regular season, Garland showed flashes of brilliance in the heptathlon when he moved up to No. 2 in collegiate history with his 6,415 score at the Texas Tech Open & Multis. Competing in the open events at the SEC Indoor Championships, Garland posted personal records of 7.77 in the 60m hurdles and 7.95m/26-1 in the long jump to take sixth in both.
The Bowerman Advisory Board is a panel of track & field experts from around the nation who select finalists based on performances recorded during the 2023 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. Only performances from December 1, 2022, through the conclusion of the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas, were eligible for consideration. Voting for The Bowerman closes July 14.
Fan voting for The Bowerman begins Tuesday, June 27, on The Bowerman's website and runs through Thursday, June 29. Paper voting also begins on Tuesday, June 27, and closes on July 14.
The men and women's finalists will be honored on Thursday, December 14, during the annual USTFCCCA Convention, which will be held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center outside of Denver, Co. One of the finalists from each gender will take home collegiate track & field's highest individual honor that same night following The Bowerman Presentation.
Up Next: While the collegiate season is now complete, a number of Bulldogs are expected to compete at a variety of summer meets. Garland will be among a number of Georgia team members representing UGA at the USATF Championships in Eugene, Ore., on July 6-9. Those who qualify out of USAs advance to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Aug. 19-27.
Where To Find Bulldog News: News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are posted on georgiadogs.com and are also always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.
Garland joins Arkansas freshman jumper Jaydon Hibbert and Texas senior decathlete Leo Neugebauer as the three finalists. This marks the first time in the history of The Bowerman that all three male finalists are field event athletes.
The Bowerman, which is given annually to the most outstanding male and female NCAA track and field athletes in the nation, was first awarded in 2009. The first official watch lists and semifinalists were announced in 2010. The 2023 female finalists – Texas' Julien Alfred, Florida's Jasmine Moore and Arkansas' Britton Wilson – were announced on Monday.
The only four-time Bowerman semifinalist on the women's side in history is also the Bulldogs' only Bowerman winner. Garland, who has been named a semifinalist twice, is the first Bulldog male finalist and now joins three-time finalist Orji (2016-18) as the only Georgia finalists in history.
Garland, a Philadelphia, Pa., native, scored the third-best decathlon total in collegiate history and the third-best world total in 2023 with an 8,630 to earn silver at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. He won three of 10 events at Nationals, including registering the top all-time collegiate decathlon 110-meter hurdle time (13.54). The USTFCCCA Outdoor South Region Men's Field Athlete of the Year captured the Southeastern Conference decathlon title with the No. 4 all-time collegiate score (meet record 8,589). In addition, he launched the shot put an all-time collegiate decathlon best distance of 16.77 meters/55 feet, ¼ inches at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Indoors, the 2023 USTFCCCA National and South Regional Men's Field Athlete of the Year as well as 2023 Track & Field News' Collegiate Indoor Male Athlete of the year destroyed the collegiate record – and fell just six points shy of the world record – in the heptathlon to win the combined event at the NCAA Championships. He finished with 6,639 points, which was 140 points more than two-time Olympic gold medalist Ashton Eaton scored to win the 2010 NCAA title for the previous collegiate record.
During the indoor regular season, Garland showed flashes of brilliance in the heptathlon when he moved up to No. 2 in collegiate history with his 6,415 score at the Texas Tech Open & Multis. Competing in the open events at the SEC Indoor Championships, Garland posted personal records of 7.77 in the 60m hurdles and 7.95m/26-1 in the long jump to take sixth in both.
The Bowerman Advisory Board is a panel of track & field experts from around the nation who select finalists based on performances recorded during the 2023 indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. Only performances from December 1, 2022, through the conclusion of the 2023 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas, were eligible for consideration. Voting for The Bowerman closes July 14.
Fan voting for The Bowerman begins Tuesday, June 27, on The Bowerman's website and runs through Thursday, June 29. Paper voting also begins on Tuesday, June 27, and closes on July 14.
The men and women's finalists will be honored on Thursday, December 14, during the annual USTFCCCA Convention, which will be held at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center outside of Denver, Co. One of the finalists from each gender will take home collegiate track & field's highest individual honor that same night following The Bowerman Presentation.
Up Next: While the collegiate season is now complete, a number of Bulldogs are expected to compete at a variety of summer meets. Garland will be among a number of Georgia team members representing UGA at the USATF Championships in Eugene, Ore., on July 6-9. Those who qualify out of USAs advance to the World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Aug. 19-27.
Where To Find Bulldog News: News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are posted on georgiadogs.com and are also always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.
Players Mentioned
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