Sarah Bowman: Elite Athlete on the Rise

2005 Nike Indoor National Mile Champ, and 1000-meter National recorded holder. Sarah Bowman; Fauquier, VA. Bowman's elite profile list reads about a mile long.

A 10-year soccer player turn star athlete who’s only been running track for four years is not shy in telling you that when she first started running she was clueless. When asked about her first race ever she had this to say, “My first race was in cheerleading shoes and a soccer jersey.”

So how does one become an elite powerhouse athlete dominating indoor and outdoor track events in the 800m and up with PR’s in the 800 of 2:04.40, 1000 – 2:43.40 and the 1600 – 4:45.13; just to name a few. Bowman has only been running track since high school, so how did she achieve so much success in so little time. “I’ve always said it’s just a gift from God,” said Bowman.

Running the No. 1 800 time in her first meet of the season at Taco Bell Classic of 2:05.41 is just a small amount of what Bowman is capable of doing. However, Bowman still contributes much of her success to her parents who have helped her reach the level of success she has achieved in many ways.

“Everyone thought I was fast,” she said. “People told my parents about Hershey Track and Field.” Bowman participated in Hershey Track and Field series then she moved on to AAU Junior Olympics in the summer before entering high school. Once again she had immediate success, winning the 1500-meter run in her first season of summer track.

Bowman says, both her parents and she was clueless when it can to track, she says; “My mother has no track background, she doesn’t do much but hold a watch.” Holding a watch was enough as Bowman has earned a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, coached by J.J. Clark.

When asked why she said with Tennessee she had this to say; “I picked it because of him, the coach he is a great guy, and a really good heart; he probably is the best coach that I could have.” She went on to add; “I’m honored he actually sought me out and looked to recruit me, it makes me feel good that someone that good would want to train someone like me.”

As for her plans the rest of her senior year she said; “It’s my last year, every race I go out, its like, it’s the last time I’m doing this race, the last time I’m stepping on this track to do this race, just to lay it all out there an just have fun.”

Coach Scott Murphy attended Taco Bell Classic with Bowman, and had this to say about Bowman: “It is so great to see her having fun,” he added. “The hardest thing with her over the years has been finding her event.” He went on to say, “I don’t think there has ever been anything that I’ve asked Sarah to do that she didn’t.”

As for her future and what lies ahead no one knows, but Murphy has his thoughts on what he thinks he will see. “As long as she keeps like she's going and stays healthy, I think she can own middle distance in 2012.” Sarah added, “I would like to try in 2008.”