Virgin Islands sprint phenom Adaejah T. Hodge continues her historic streak this season as she has been named one of three finalists for the Bowerman Award. Photo: Internet Source

Adaejah T. Hodge became the first woman since Dawn Sowell to simultaneously hold both collegiate sprint records. Photo: VINO/File

The 2026 women's finalists, which include Georgia teammates Adaejah T. Hodge and Dejanea Oakley, along with Nebraska's Axelina Johansson, were announced on June 29 by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Photo: The Bowerman

The Bowerman Award is often regarded as the collegiate equivalent of football's Heisman Trophy and is the most prestigious individual award in NCAA track and field. It recognises the nation's most outstanding male and female NCAA track and field athletes for their performances throughout the indoor and outdoor seasons. 

Finalists

The 2026 women's finalists, which include Georgia teammates Adaejah T. Hodge and Dejanea Oakley, along with Nebraska's Axelina Johansson, were announced on June 29 by the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). 

Phenomenal Hodge 

This recognition follows what may be one of the greatest freshman sprint campaigns in NCAA history for Hodge. Recently, Hodge has put the Virgin Islands on the map by shattering records in NCAA collegiate competitions in both the women's 100 meters and 200 meters during the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships. She clocked an impressive 10.63 seconds in the 100m semifinals before finishing runner-up in the final, later returning to win the 200m title with a record-breaking time of 21.68 seconds. Hodge became the first woman since Dawn Sowell to simultaneously hold both collegiate sprint records.

Additionally, Hodge is the only collegiate athlete this season to record multiple wind-legal performances under 10.80 seconds in the 100 meters, including times of 10.63 seconds and 10.77 seconds. She also achieved three wind-legal sub-22-second performances in the 200 meters, with times of 21.68, 21.92, and 21.96 seconds. Her contributions extended beyond individual events; while running the backstretch leg on Georgia's 4x100-meter relay team, Hodge helped the Bulldogs post a time of 41.89 seconds, ranking fourth on the program's all-time list. 

Hodge's dominance began during the indoor season when she captured the NCAA 200-meter championship in 22.22 seconds, becoming the fourth-fastest collegiate performer in history. She also finished second in the 60 meters after lowering her personal best to 7.12 seconds in the preliminary round.

With Hodge and Oakley as finalists, Georgia made history by becoming just the second women's programme ever to have two Bowerman finalists in the same year.

Supporters encouraged to vote

Supporters of Hodge can participate in the selection process by casting their public votes for the Bowerman Award. Fans have until July 2 to show their support for the Virgin Islands sprint star by visiting The Bowerman's official voting website HERE.

Hodge's selection represents another proud chapter in the Virgin Islands' growing legacy in international athletics. The Bowerman winner will be announced later this year during the USTFCCCA Convention in Grapevine, Texas.