Rogers is Oregon's fifth honoree, including third female in four years; Coleman is fourth SEC male in a row, first for Tennessee

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Both turning professional following their junior seasons wasn't all Tennessee's Christian Coleman and Oregon's Raevyn Rogers had in common Friday night in Phoenix, Ariz.

The NCAA indoor and outdoor champions, along with being collegiate record holders, were both holding The Bowerman awards, given to the most outstanding male and female athletes in college track and field at the USTFCCCA Convention.

COLEMAN INTERVIEW  |  ROGERS INTERVIEW

Rogers, who set collegiate records in the indoor distance medley relay and outdoor 800 meters and 4x400 relay, is the third female in four years from Oregon to receive the award, along with Laura Roesler in 2014 and Jenna Prandini in 2015. Along with Galen Rupp in 2009 and Ashton Eaton in 2010, the Ducks lead all universities with five Bowerman honorees.

Coleman, who set collegiate records in the indoor 60-meter dash and outdoor 100, was the fourth consecutive male athlete representing the Southeastern Conference to receive the award, but the first from Tennessee. He followed Texas A&M's Deon Lendore in 2014, Florida's Marquis Dendy in 2015 and Arkansas' Jarrion Lawson last year.

Texas A&M became only the second program to have two male finalists in the same year with Fred Kerley and Lindon Victor, joining Oregon in 2010 with Andrew Wheating and Eaton.

Georgia's Keturah Orji was only the fourth female to be a two-time finalist, joining last year's winner Courtney Okolo of Texas, 2012 winner Kimberlyn Duncan of LSU and Arizona's Brigetta Barrett.

Arizona State's Maggie Ewen became only the second female thrower to be selected a finalist, following Raven Saunders of Ole Miss last year. She is also the second finalist for the Sun Devils, along with Ryan Whiting in 2010.