Ziegler won the hammer throw at the NCAA Championships by more than 20 feet, including a fifth round attempt of 248-7 (75.78m) that was the best winning mark since 2000 and made him the fifth-best performer in meet history. All six of Ziegler’s throws at the NCAA finals would have won the competition as he marked no worse than 230-7 (70.29m). The 248-7 stands as Ziegler’s and the collegiate best from the season and moved him to No. 8 on the all-time collegiate performer list.

This season’s win was the second consecutive NCAA hammer title for Ziegler, making him the first Virginia Tech thrower to win back-to-back titles since Spyridon Jullien won hammer titles in 2005 and 2006.

During the indoor season, Ziegler claimed third place at the NCAA Championships in the weight throw. He won the ACC outdoor crown in the hammer and was second at the league’s indoor meet in the weight competition. Ziegler was named the ACC’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Year.

Ziegler becomes the first student-athlete from the Hokie men's track & field team to be named a semifinalist for The Bowerman. Virginia Tech's Queen Harrison won The Bowerman for women's track & field in 2010.

The Bowerman debuted in 2009 and is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to the most outstanding male and female collegiate track & field athletes in the nation. The award is named for legendary Oregon track & field and cross country coach Bill Bowerman.

The finalists will be announced on Friday, June 29 after the advisory board has deliberated. Joining Ziegler on the semifinalist list are Donn Cabral (Princeton - Distance), Jordan Clarke (Arizona State - Throws), Tim Glover (Illinois State - Javelin), Charles Jock (UC Irvine - Mid-Distance), Erik Kynard (Kansas State - Jumps), Cam Levins (Southern Utah - Distance), Tony McQuay (Florida - Sprints), Maurice Mitchell (Florida State - Sprints) and Andrew Riley (Illinois - Sprints/Hurdles).