Adeshina Earns Top Honor as USTFCCCA Athlete of the Year

Temitope Adeshina, a Nigerian high jumper and national record holder, has been recognized as the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the Mountain Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, capping off an impressive indoor season that was both historic and undefeated.

n

This accolade comes on the heels of Adeshina's remarkable performance, which saw her claim her third consecutive Big 12 Conference title and her second straight NCAA Indoor Championships crown, demonstrating her unwavering consistency and dominance in the sport.

n

Throughout the season, Adeshina consistently cleared at least 1.93m in every competition, with her crowning achievement being a championship-winning jump of 1.97m, a mark that matched both her personal best and the Nigerian national record.

n

Following her victory at the NCAA indoor championships, Adeshina attempted to clear 2.00m, which would have equaled the NCAA indoor record, but unfortunately fell short in three attempts.

n

As the holder of Nigeria's national record in the high jump, both indoors and outdoors, Adeshina is now setting her sights on replicating her success in the outdoor season, building on the momentum from her breakthrough year in 2024 when she set both national records.

n

Her impressive trajectory includes winning her first NCAA title in 2025, as well as participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she finished outside the podium places, gaining invaluable experience on the global stage.

n

Adeshina's current national record and personal best of 1.97m were set at the Big 12 Championships in Kansas in May 2025, a mark she has equaled twice this season, underscoring her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

n

She is the second Nigerian to compete in the women's high jump at the Olympics, following in the footsteps of Doreen Amata, who represented the country at the 2008 and 2016 Games.

n

Adeshina made history in March 2025 by becoming the first Nigerian to win an NCAA high jump title, clearing 1.94m at the NCAA Indoor Championships held at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia, USA.