Nigerian high jumper Temitope Adeshina has added another major accolade to an already remarkable collegiate career being named the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the Mountain Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association following a dominant and undefeated 2026 indoor season.
The USTFCCCA announced the regional awards following the conclusion of the 2026 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Adeshina won the high jump at the championships with a clearance of 1.97m equalling both her personal best and the Nigerian national record. She was undefeated across four meets this season and cleared at least 1.93m in each competition.
Adeshina’s award was part of a remarkable sweep for Texas Tech, with the Red Raiders claiming five USTFCCCA Mountain Regional awards in total. Head coach Wes Kittley was named both Men’s and Women’s Head Coach of the Year, Calvin Robinson was named Men’s Assistant Coach of the Year and Jonathan Seremes was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year alongside Adeshina’s women’s honour.
The season Adeshina put together was nothing short of dominant. She cleared at least 1.93m in every competition this season, culminating in a championship-winning jump of 1.97m a mark that equalled both her personal best and the Nigerian national record. She also captured her third-straight Big 12 Conference title and her second consecutive NCAA Indoor Championships crown.
After sealing victory at the NCAA indoor championships, Adeshina attempted 2.00m which would have equalled the NCAA indoor record, but was unable to clear the bar in three attempts.
Adeshina represented Texas Tech Red Raiders with composure and technical precision throughout the championships, handling the pressure of defending her title against a strong field with confidence.
Her winning clearance of 1.97m proved decisive, with Ghanaian athlete Rose Yeboah finishing second with a best clearance of 1.94m.
The award adds to an already historic record. Adeshina won her first NCAA title in March 2025, clearing 1.94m at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Virginia Beach becoming the first Nigerian to win an NCAA high jump title.
Her back-to-back NCAA titles and undefeated indoor season have now solidified her place among the top collegiate high jumpers in the United States.
For Nigerian athletics, Adeshina’s consistency at the elite collegiate level represents a growing presence on the American track and field circuit and a strong signal that her best performances may still lie ahead as she builds toward future international competition on the global stage.
