First time in program’s storied history and fourth occasion in award’s existence that teammates are nominees, looking to end Trojans’ drought when it comes to sport’s most prestigious honor 

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

For all the statistics that highlight USC as one of the elite men’s track and field programs in NCAA Division 1 history, including 28 total team championships – led by an unprecedented 26 outdoors – and a combined 124 individual or relay titles outdoors, there remains a surprising void in the Trojans’ staggering list of achievements.

During the past decade, not only has USC yet to win a Bowerman Award, but it wasn’t until this year that the Trojans even had a finalist for the most prestigious honor in collegiate track and field.

USC hopes that the presence of Rai Benjamin and Michael Norman among the men’s finalists, along with Florida’s Grant Holloway, will increase its odds of ending the drought Thursday during the 10th annual ceremony at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa.

“Just being nominated for such a prestigious award is an amazing feeling,” Norman said. “I can’t be more grateful for the coaches and the year that I’ve had.”

The ceremony is being streamed live at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN3.

It marks the second year in a row and the fourth time in the history of the award where a pair of men’s teammates are among the three finalists.

Last year, Tennessee’s Christian Coleman was the male recipient, earning the award over the Texas A&M duo of Fred Kerley and Lindon Victor.

The other two occasions where a pair of teammates were among the finalists, representing Oregon in 2009 and 2010, the Ducks were honored both times, first with Galen Rupp receiving the inaugural award, followed by Ashton Eaton the next year, the last time the Pac-12 produced the men’s recipient.

In the previous nine years, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA and Washington State all had men’s finalists representing the Pac-12, but the Trojans were finally recognized after Benjamin and Norman both contributed to indoor and outdoor collegiate records in the 4x400-meter relay, along with achieving their own individual records en route to capturing Division 1 titles.

“We’ve had such a great tradition and such great athletes come through this program,” Benjamin said. “This just speaks volumes to what USC is as a collegiate powerhouse for track and field.”

Norman set indoor and outdoor 400-meter collegiate records, along with running an all-time indoor world best, and Benjamin established a new collegiate standard in the 400 hurdles. Despite both athletes turning professional during the summer, they both still train together at USC while completing their degrees.

“Just being able to train with someone as great as Rai only adds fuel to the fire,” Norman said. “Every day we go out there and elevate each other to the next level.”

The Southeastern Conference is looking to make it five consecutive men’s winners with Holloway, following Coleman last year, Arkansas’ Jarrion Lawson in 2016, Florida’s Marquis Dendy in 2015 and Deon Lendore of Texas A&M in 2014.

Holloway, the collegiate indoor record holder in the 60-meter hurdles, is the fourth Florida male athlete to be named a finalist, along with Christian Taylor in 2011, Tony McQuay in 2012 and Dendy. Florida matched Oregon and Texas A&M with its fourth male finalist, although Holloway is the only individual among the combined six nominees who is still competing in college.

“I have hopes and dreams of winning it,” Holloway said. “I always did.”