Men's Cross Country Senior: Alan Bowsher

 By Tegan Ellis

What is your major and how did you end up at ONU?

My major is biology. I first heard about ONU when Coach Maus contacted me at a cross country meet. I did some research and found that I really liked the place after my first visit.

Where did your passion for running come from?

I like the feeling of knowing and seeing your hard work pay off.

What motivates you on each course?

I don’t like to lose, and I like to try and give ONU the lowest score possible.

How do you mentally prepare for each race?

I try not to think about the race too much. I try to stay relaxed and stay lose and once the gun goes off I try and stay focused for the next five miles.

Is there one course you prefer over the others? Why?

I really like the course at Calvin College. It’s a fast course, and we have always had pretty good success there as a team.

What is your #1 goal for the season?

My goal is to help the team get back to nationals this year.

What are your strengths?

Focus. I don’t let pressure get to me. Each race I just think of as a new one. It doesn’t matter what happen last week or what will happen next week.

Just a few weeks ago you were nominated as OAC Runner of the Week. What did it feel like to receive this recognition?

It felt good. It was really nice to have the recognition. I had no idea how the other runners did, I just felt like I had a good race that day.

As the seventh fastest runner in ONU history, do you feel pressure to continually perform at such a high level of excellence, for both your team and yourself?

I feel a little bit of pressure because I want to continue to lead the team. So far I haven’t let it get to me because it’s something I enjoy. Ultimately, I don’t want to worry about something I enjoy doing.

Your accomplishments have flourished over the years. How have you seen yourself improve over the course of your career here at ONU?

My mindset about races has probably improved the most. I look at it as, like I said earlier, a fresh start. It’s a chance to do something that I really love rather than something that I dread every week because of the pressure.

Having lettered all three of your previous seasons, do you have a special technique that keeps you running strong and helps you stay ahead of the pack?

What keeps me feeling good about running is just letting myself enjoy it. Each day I get to hang out with my friends at practice, and I feel the same way at meets. I just get to enjoy running and see what I can do.

What advice can you leave for the underclassmen?

Most of all hard work pays off. Enjoy every day, and have fun with it.

How have you balanced an intense course load with such a busy running schedule?

I take it one day at a time, and try to make sure all my assignments are finished. School is definitely a priority, but I have always managed to get my runs in no problem.