Pamela Kosgei Named Finalist for The Bowerman After Historic Outdoor Season
Albuquerque, NM – Pamela Kosgei, the Kenyan freshman phenom from the University of New Mexico, has been named one of three finalists for the prestigious 2025 Bowerman Award, collegiate track & field’s highest individual honor. The announcement came on July 7, following a dominating debut outdoor season where Kosgei swept both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m titles at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships .
🥇 Record‑Breaking Outdoor Campaign
Kosgei’s outdoor performance was nothing short of historic. At the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene on June 12, she won the 10,000 m in record time—31:17.82—setting a new meet record and registering the third-fastest collegiate time of all time, cementing her status as one of the sport’s rising stars . Just weeks earlier at the Bryan Clay Invitational in April, she clocked 14:52.45 in the 5,000 m—ranking second all-time in collegiate history . She also posted a stunning 9:15.93 in the 3,000 m steeplechase at Stanford, making her the third-fastest collegiate woman ever in that discipline .
Her string of top-three finishes across multiple disciplines underscores her versatility—she became only the fifth woman in NCAA history to accomplish the 5k/10k double at the same Outdoor Championships, and only the third since 1998 .
🏅 Historic Trailblazer
Kosgei’s accomplishments ripple beyond individual glory. She played a pivotal role in UNM’s sweeping of Mountain West titles across cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track—a rare achievement, showcasing dominance across all three seasons . At NCAA Outdoor, her 10 k title helped push the Lobo women to a ninth-place team finish, the second-best women’s performance in program history . Additionally, alongside teammate Ishmael Kipkurui—also a Bowerman semifinalist and NCAA champion—UNM became the only non-Power Five school with both men’s and women’s teams in the Top 10 at NCAA XC and Outdoor Championships .
🎯 Semifinal to Final: A Rising Star
On June 25, Kosgei was named among 10 women semifinalists for The Bowerman, recognized by USTFCCCA for her unparalleled excellence . Just two days later, Ishmael Kipkurui joined her on the male side. Finalists are officially announced July 7; winners will be crowned at the December 18 awards gala .
🌍 Freshman Sensation
Kosgei’s rise is remarkable, considering she’s only a freshman. A native of Elgeyo‑Marakwet County, Kenya, she arrived at New Mexico in 2024 and immediately delivered: winning Mountain West cross country titles, sweeping indoor mile, 3k and 5k events, and earning All‑American honors at NCAA Indoors . Her sister, world marathon record-holder Brigid Kosgei, has served as an inspiration in her budding career .
🏆 The Road Ahead
As one of three Bowerman finalists announced today, Pamela Kosgei stands tall among NCAA’s elite athletes. Her record-breaking times, unprecedented championship sweep, and freshman breakthrough season make her a compelling candidate for the award. On Tuesday, July 8, the three male finalists will be revealed, with winners unveiled this December.
For UNM, it has been a banner year. For Kosgei, it may just be the beginning of a storied legacy—one that could shape her career and inspire a generation of distance runners worldwide.
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