After Bethesda-Chevy Chase’s Chris Bowie won the Maryland 3A cross country title Saturday, the first man to congratulate the senior was a race official. Nothing unusual there. But it was the way the man in the yellow vest showed his approval — a hug, a kiss on the forehead, and an extended, emotional embrace.
Actually, the official was Don Bowie, father of the winning runner, overjoyed at his son’s first state title.
The bonds between fathers and sons are often accentuated in cross country. It’s a sport that multiple generations can enjoy together. And endurance genes seem to convey. After all, Maryland 4A champion Matt Centrowitz is the son of a former U.S. record holder in the 5,000 meters.
But that isn’t exactly how Chris Bowie became a cross country star. His father was a sprinter and high jumper at Morgan State. Before high school, Chris Bowie was more interested in playing football, basketball and lacrosse.
“I came out for cross country because my dad convinced me I could be good at track. I was just doing it to get in shape,” said Chris Bowie. “Turned out I was pretty good at cross country.”
Bowie proved it with a dominating performance Saturday on the brutal course at Hereford High. Bowie ran a 16:46, winning by 15 seconds. The outcome was not in doubt after Bowie took control on Hereford’s infamous “dip,” which separates contenders from pretenders.
“I thought if I took it out fast, I could leave them,” said Bowie. “This feels great. It’s what I’ve wanted since my freshman year. My season has been geared to doing well at this race. You want to peak at the end of the year.”
It was a result that pleased, but didn’t surprise his father.
“This one was gonna be his or else,” said Don Bowie, who works in the environmental field. “He’s been working hard, building his core strength. He listened to me a little bit.”
Bah, bah Bowie
» Bowie has been offered a full scholarship by Howard. He also is considering George Mason.
» Bowie finished second in the 3A state race in 2005, fading at the finish against Linganore’s Kyle Ryan.
» Bowie finished sixth in the Montgomery County championships before rebounding with a victory at the 3A West meet.
