Below are FloTrack's top five women's collegiate athletes of the year. While The Bowerman Award only takes into consideration NCAA track performances, our 2016 year-end rankings account for NCAA track, cross country, USA championships, and the Olympic Games.

5. Raven Saunders (Ole Miss)

Saunders had one for the best seasons for a collegiate shot putter in a long time. Despite starting her championship run with a 12th-place finish at NCAA indoors, Saunders continued to get better throughout the year ultimately ended her season with a fifth-place finish at the Olympic Games and breaking the collegiate record.

Championship Performances:
12th NCAA Indoor Championships (shot put)
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (shot put)
2nd U.S. Olympic Team Trials (shot put)
5th Olympic Games (shot put)
Bowerman Award finalist

Indoor Season Best:
19.23m shot put (NCAA record, #5 in the world for 2016)

Outdoor Season Best:
19.33m shot put (NCAA record)
19.35m shot put (#7 in the world for 2016)

4. Shamier Little (Texas A&M)

Little was on fire during the regular season as a collegiate. Unfortunately, her fifth-place finish in the U.S. Olympic Trials semifinals bumped her out of making Team USA. Little's season-best 400m hurdle mark of 53.51 would end up being the second-fastest time run in the world all season behind only Dalilah Muhammad, the eventual Olympic gold medalist.

Championship Performances:
3rd NCAA Indoor Championships (400m)
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (400H)
9th U.S. Olympic Team Trials (400H)

Indoor Season Best:
51.74 400m (#10 in the world for 2016)

Outdoor Season Best:
53.51 400H (#2 NCAA all-time, #2 in the world for 2016)

3. Courtney Frerichs (New Mexico)

After transferring to New Mexico from UMKC with one season of college eligibility left, Frerichs ran away with the NCAA 3K steeplechase title in June, breaking Jenny Simpson's collegiate record. One month later she joined the Bowerman Track Club and finished second at the Olympic Trials. Frerichs went on to finish 11th at the Rio Olympics.

Championship Performances:
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (3K steeplechase)
2nd U.S. Olympic Tram Trials (3K steeplechase)
11th Olympic Games (3K steeplechase)

Indoor Season Best:
Did not compete

Outdoor Season Best:
9:24.41 3K steeplechase (NCAA record)
9:20.92 3K steeplechase (#16 in the world for 2016)

2. Keturah Orji (Georgia)

In 2016, Orji become the greatest American triple jumper in U.S. history. Not only did she dominate the collegiate scene but she also excelled on the international stage by grabbing two fourth-place finishes at World Indoors and the Olympic Games.

Championship Performances:
4th NCAA Indoor Championships (long jump)
1st NCAA Indoor Championships (triple jump)
4th IAAF World Championships (triple jump)
6th NCAA Outdoor Championships (long jump)
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (triple jump)
1st U.S. Olympic Team Trials (triple jump)
4th Olympic Games (triple jump)
Bowerman Award finalist

Indoor Season Best:
14.14m triple jump (#6 NCAA all-time, #13 in the world for 2016)

Outdoor Season Best:
14.53m triple jump (NCAA record)
14.71m triple jump (U.S. record, #5 in the world for 2016)

1. Courtney Okolo (Texas)

Okolo was flawless in almost every single race she ran this year. Okolo went 4 for 4 at the NCAA championships and won two gold medals representing Team USA's 4x400m relay at world indoors and the Olympic Games. Okolo's lone blemish was finishing sixth at the U.S. Trials. However, Okolo did run the third-fastest time in the world in 2016 and could have been a serious contender for an Olympic medal if she made Team USA.

Championship Performances:
1st NCAA Indoor Championships (400m)
1st NCAA Indoor Championships (4x400m relay)
1st IAAF World Indoor Championships (4x400m relay)
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (400m)
1st NCAA Outdoor Championships (4x400m relay)
6th U.S. Olympic Team Trials (400m)
1st Olympic Games (4x400m relay)
Bowerman Award winner

Indoor Season Best:
50.69 400m (#3 NCAA all-time, #1 in the world for 2016)

Outdoor Season Best:
49.71 400m (NCAA record, #3 in the world for 2016)