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Virginia Tech senior Alexander Ziegler was one of 10 athletes named to the 2013 Bowerman Preseason Watch List as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Wednesday.

The native of Dischingen, Germany is a six-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion in the hammer throw, having won the event the past two years. In 2012, he launched a personal-best mark of 248-7 (75.78m) to claim the title and become Tech’s second athlete to capture back-to-back national championships in the event. A year earlier, he won the title on his last attempt with a season-best throw of 237-7 (72.69), and finished runner-up in his freshman season in 2010.

During the indoor season, Ziegler has finished in the top three of the weight throw at the NCAA Championships in each of his three seasons, placing third in 2010 and 2012 and taking second in 2011.

The Bowerman is awarded to the top male and female track athletes for each year. It is named after the legendary Bill Bowerman who served as the track and field coach at the University of Oregon for twenty-three years. He also served as the head coach of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team. His contributions to the track and field community in the United States and around the world has assisted in elevating the sport to where it is today.

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