The Bowerman is a track and field award. Cross country cannot be considered, nor unattached performances outside the national team. Oddly, at the end, then, they point out that it is given by the track and field AND cross country coaches association.
Athing Mu, Raevyn Rogers, and Laura Roesler were the last runners of 800m and up (all 400-800 runners) to win since 2012.
"DEFINITION
The Bowerman is awarded each year to the top male collegiate athlete and to the top female collegiate athlete in the sport of NCAA track & field.
PERFORMANCES THAT MAY BE CONSIDERED
Athletes’ performances during the NCAA indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons shall be considered. An athlete need not have competed in both seasons to be eligible for the award.
Only performances from the NCAA indoor track & field and outdoor track & field seasons of the year in which the award is given are considered. For example, performances from the 2009 outdoor track & field season should not be considered for the 2010 award.
Performances that occur outside the NCAA seasons of indoor track & field and outdoor track & field should not be considered. The performance window for the purposes of The Bowerman runs from December 1 of the preceding year through the respective division’s NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the year in which the award is given (e.g. 2010).
Performances achieved while competing unattached during the indoor track & field or outdoor track & field seasons should not be considered, unless the athlete is competing on a national team at a competition that occurs during The Bowerman performance window (e.g. World Indoor Championships).
Performances achieved in cross country, or in any sport other than indoor track & field and outdoor track & field, should not be considered.
SPONSORING ORGANIZATION
The Bowerman is given by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA)."
