Nigeria’s Nathaniel Ezekiel has been crowned the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Track Athlete of the Year, capping off a remarkable season with Baylor University.
The prestigious honour, announced by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Monday, follows a vote by NCAA member coaches. Ezekiel becomes only the second athlete in Baylor’s history to claim the award, joining Olympic champion Jeremy Wariner, who last received the accolade in 2004.
The Delta State-born star secured the national title in the men’s 400m hurdles at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, clocking a personal best of 47.49 seconds.
That impressive run not only earned him gold but also ranks him third on the all-time collegiate list for the 400m hurdles.
Ezekiel’s 2025 season also saw him make history as the only athlete ever to record multiple top-10 all-time performances in the 400m hurdles within a single collegiate season.
