The Bowerman Award goes to Tennessee's Coleman over Aggie pair

PHOENIX, Arizona – The selection for the men's Bowerman Award among three finalists from the SEC went to Tennessee's Christian Coleman on Friday evening. Two Texas A&M athletes, seniors Fred Kerley and Lindon Victor, were the fifth and sixth Aggie finalists for the prestigious honor that has been presented since 2009 to recognize the top collegiate track and field athlete.
 
The women's winner for 2017 was Oregon's Raevyn Rogers over Arizona State's Maggie Ewen and Georgia's Keturah Orji.
 
This marks the fourth consecutive year a male athlete from the SEC has claimed The Bowerman. The current run by the conference started with Aggie Deon Lendore in 2014, and included Florida's Marquis Dendy in 2015 and Jarrion Lawson of Arkansas in 2016.
 
"Christian Coleman is a big-time athlete, there's no question about it," stated Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry. "This is a collegiate award, and doesn't include anything you do as a non-collegiate, and he's as deserving of this award as anybody who has ever been on that stage. He did a great job.
 
"It's a pleasure and honor to be here. Our men who were finalist accept that honor. We've been fortunate to have a pair of previous winners with Jessica Beard and Deon Lendore, so to see them here tonight and on the stage made it a big night for Texas A&M."