Cheserek Has A New Rival And His Name Is Christian Coleman

Cheserek Has A New Rival And His Name Is Christian Coleman

Edward Cheserek has captured 17 NCAA titles in his Oregon career so far but winning the prestigious Bowerman Award has remained elusive.

Mar 18, 2017 by Gordon Mack
Cheserek Has A New Rival And His Name Is Christian Coleman
Edward Cheserek has captured 17 NCAA titles in his Oregon career so far but winning the prestigious Bowerman Award has remained elusive. Cheserek, a senior, has been a finalist in each of the past three years only to lose to Texas A&M's Deon Lendore in 2014, Florida's Marquis Dendy in 2015, and Arkansas' Jarrion Lawson in 2016.

Cheserek's best year on paper undoubtedly was in 2016 when he won five titles to go undefeated at the NCAA championships, including a 7:40 indoor 3K that was good for No. 2 all-time collegiately. Unfortunately for Cheserek, this was the same year Lawson pulled off the "Jesse Owens Triple," winning the 100m, 200m, and long jump at the outdoor championships, which ultimately sealed the Bowerman Award for Lawson.

CLICK HERE: 2017 BOWERMAN RANKINGS


Now in comes Tennessee's Christian Coleman. The junior just had an all-time great indoor championship performance by winning the 60m and 200m with top 10 all-time world marks.

Let's take a look at Lawson's 2016 resume and compare it to what Coleman has achieved so far.

JARRION LAWSON'S BOWERMAN RESUME:

Indoor Season
60: 6.60 (No. 323 World All-Time)
LJ: 8.17m (No. 119 World All-Time)
NCAA Finishes: 1st, LJ; 5th, 60; 12th, 4x4

Outdoor Season
100: 10.13 (No. 388 World All-Time)
200: 20.17 (No. 147 World All-Time)
LJ: 8.15m (No. 338 World All-Time)
NCAA Finishes: 1st, 100; 1st, 200; 1st, LJ; 3rd, 4x1

CHRISTIAN COLEMAN'S BOWERMAN RESUME (So Far):

Indoor Season
60: 6.45 (No. 6 World All-Time)
200: 20.11 (No. 3 World All-Time)
NCAAs: 1st, 60; 1st, 200

Outdoor Season
TBD

If Lawson's resume was good enough to beat Cheserek, Coleman's pending resume may be even better, which could force the voters to make a very tough decision. Will they deny one of the all-time distance greats the Bowerman?