University of Tennessee Athletics
Bowman Named Lady Vol Athlete of the Week
December 02, 2008 | Women's Cross Country
Dec. 2, 2008
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- For the fourth time this season, cross country standout Sarah Bowman has been chosen as the Lady Vol Athlete of the Week. The senior from Warrenton, Va., collected her most recent honor after a strong showing on Nov. 24 at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind.
Competing in the third national cross country meet of her career, Bowman covered the 6,000-meter LaVern Gibson Championship Course in 20 minutes, 39.5 seconds to finish 36th out of a field of 252 competitors. By crossing the line among the top 40, Bowman became the first Lady Vol in eight seasons to earn cross country All-America accolades.
Only the second UT woman since 1990 to finish among the top 40 at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, Bowman became the eighth NCAA All-American and 10th overall honoree (including AIAW distinction) in program history. The last to earn national kudos was Sharon Dickie, for a 29th-place result in 2000.
Bowman, who had previously earned six All-America certificates for her prowess on the track, was pleased to finally add a national cross country award to her list of accomplishments.
"It means a lot to me to earn All-American honors," Bowman said of her achievement. "I never would have dreamed of being an All-American in cross country back when I was a freshman. I've come a long way in terms of my maturity and respect for this sport, and I am very excited to see where this takes me during the track & field season."
A four-time All-SEC and three-time All-South Region recipient, Bowman helped the Lady Vols fashion a 101-14 won-lost record and finish third at both the SEC Championships and NCAA South Regional this season. She led UT to the finish line in all six team races in 2008 and did so 14 times during her career, including in 12 of her final 14 opportunities.
For her career, Bowman posted 11 career top-five finishes, including eight of her last 11 team starts. Amazingly, she scored for the Big Orange in all 23 career team races she entered.
In addition to this week's Lady Vol Athlete of the Week selection, Bowman also was chosen on Sept. 22, Oct. 20 and Nov. 18, following efforts at the Tennessee Invitational, Penn State National and NCAA South Regional, respectively.
