Johnson Named to Bowerman Award Watch List

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa’s Ryan Johnson has been named to The Bowerman Award Watch List, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced Thursday.

The Bowerman Award honors the top male and female collegiate track and field athletes of the year. Winners are selected by the Bowerman Advisory Board and Bowerman voters based on performances from both the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. 

Johnson is wrapping up a dominant indoor campaign, recently winning the Big Ten title in the weight throw at 25.66 meters. He became a back-to-back champion in the event and holds Iowa’s only weight throw titles in school history. Johnson’s mark of 25.66 meters set the world lead. The throw broke his previous school record and shattered the collegiate, meet, and facility records. Johnson now ranks third all-time among American weight throwers and fourth in world history in the event.

During the indoor season, Johnson claimed eight event titles and reset the school record three times. He was named the USTFCCCA Men’s National Athlete of the Week on Feb. 9 and earned Big Ten Men’s Field Event Athlete of the Week honors twice.

Johnson returns to the outdoor season as a first-team All-American after placing sixth in 2025 in the hammer throw. He is Iowa’s top returner in the hammer throw and holds the school record at 73.20 meters. Last season, he won five event titles, placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships, and finished seventh at the NCAA West First Round. 

Johnson returns to competition at the NCAA Championships on Friday, March 13. The men’s weight throw is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. (CT).