Fisk Track Star’s Work Ethic is a ‘Bownes’ to the University

The United Negro College Fund's (UNCF) motto is 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste'. Fisk University Track & Field star Jackie Bownes takes that saying a little bit further. The junior thrower doesn't waste mind or her time.

Last season Bownes won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference shot put and discus titles. She did that with only one week of practice. This season, she has won two shot put titles at indoor meets. One was at the Suwanee University Invitational; the other was also at Suwanee at the Tiger Invitational. Tennessee State University has a rich tradition in track. Fisk is only two miles away. TSU HeadCoach Chandra Cheeseborough=Guice and her assisttant Gwen Berry are former Olympians. Bownes knows the importance of having legends that she can talk to. 

"Just to be able to be around them would be awesome," said Bownes. "I met Ms. Berry a few yars ago. It is good that they are both right down the street and they can offer support. Being at Fisk gives me a lot of opportunities. I am glad that Fisk chose me."

The opportunities that have been given to Bownes goes beyond the field. Fisk administrator Adrienne Latham presented an opportunity to Bownes, bringing the Pre-Alumni Council back to Fisk. Bownes was elected to the Vice-President position. The organization, with the coaxing of Latham, made a decision that hadn't happened in five years, attending the UNCF Conference. Bownes then represented the university as Miss UNCF Fisk.

"Mrs. Latham and I worked hard on this. The winner is who raised the most money. We got in late, so we didn't win. Next year, we will work hard to raise the most money. I don't like to lose."

East St. Louis is one of the toughest cities in America. Bownes learned about Fisk from her mentor Dr. Carla R Lewis-Longley who is a proud Fisk alum. Dr. Lewis-Longley hosted weekly college readiness meetings for the girls' track team at Bownes' high school. Bownes was intrigued about the North Nashville University. She added Fisk to the list of her options. From there the rest was history.

"Those meetings consisted of us exploring our options for colleges, updates on test scores, financial obligations, and acceptance letters. Dr. Carla expressed how strongly she recommended her alma mater.  I applied, and after being accepted into Fisk, I concluded that this was the best option for me."

Bownes' hometown has a rich history of athletes that excelled in Track & Field. Al Joyner and his sister Jackie Joyner-Kersee started the long line of success. In 2008, Dawn Harper won the 100-meter hurdles in the Beijing Olympics. Bownes credits another legend from the city for her interest in track, her high school head coach Nino Fennoy.

Bownes has also excelled in the classroom. She earned a spot in the Athletic Director's Honors Blue Club which has grade point averages between 3.50-3.89. Her goal is eclipsing her personal goal in the shot put, which is 40'3. 42'8 would qualify her for the NAIA Nationals.

Juggling her lifestyle has been rewarding to Bownes. She doesn't take anything for granted.

"I am extremely blessed and grateful to God for the opportunity to compete on a collegiate level. Track and Field holds a special place in my heart, and I hope that as I continue to progress, that I am an inspiration to other young girls who may want to continue athletics on a collegiate level."