Johansson Named to Second-Straight Bowerman Preseason Watch ListJohansson Named to Second-Straight Bowerman Preseason Watch List
Track and Field

Johansson Named to Second-Straight Bowerman Preseason Watch List

NCAA Champion and Paris Olympian Axelina Johansson was one of 10 track and field athletes nationally named to The Bowerman 2025 women’s preseason watch list on Wednesday. 

The Bowerman, presented by the USTFCCCA, is the highest track and field accolade given annually to the most outstanding college male and female athletes. First awarded in 2009, watch lists have been released since 2010. 

Senior Johansson, making her second-straight appearance on the watch list, became the first Nebraska athlete named to the list last season and is the lone athlete from the Big Ten. 

Five-time All-American Johansson owns the shot put school record and looks to continue her impressive Husker career. The native of Hok, Sweden, finished as a bronze medalist at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships, throwing 59-10 1/4 (18.24m) to earn her fourth First-Team All-American honor. Last season, she also earned her second-straight Big Ten Title and third overall with a mark of 60-8 (18.49m) at the outdoor championships. 

Throughout the season, seven updates are made to the watch list before semifinalists and finalists are announced in June.  

Last year’s winners included Parker Valby of Florida and Leo Neugebauer of Texas. Valby topped the women’s race, closing her career by winning four NCAA titles and setting three collegiate records. Neugebauer, the indoor and outdoor NCAA decathlon champion, claimed the award after an impressive season and went on to finish second at the Paris Olympic Games. 

The first update to this list is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5. Nebraska continues its season at the Graduate Classic, Jan. 17-18.