Bownes Repeats as Discus and Shot Champion

SHREVEPORT, La. – The weather in Shreveport, Louisiana did not cooperate but that didn't stop Fisk University junior Jacquelyn Bowens from accomplishing her second straight year of dominance at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Track & Field Championships.

Bownes, a native of East St. Louis, Illinois, won the women's discus with a throw of 111' 10", besting the next best thrower by seven feet, 10 inches on Friday. She followed it up on Saturday with a 37'1.75" throw in the shot put, winning by almost six feet. Both days were rainy and cold. Bownes made the proper adjustments to secure her victory.

"She started slow in the first round on Friday but put pressure on the field in the final round," said Interim Head Coach Joanna Young. "I noticed that she wasn't using her legs, so she just went to just using a power technique. On Saturday she led from start to finish. She set the mark so high that the rest of the field started making mistakes. She deserves all the credit. She was awesome."

Bownes came into the meet looking to better her personal records in both events. Because of the cold and rainy weather, she fell short. The wins now give her four championships in the past two years. Last season, she won both events as well. Although she didn't reach her goals, she is happy with the wins and knows what she needs to do to prepare for next year.

I feel blessed and honored to defend my titles," said Bownes. "I'm from the Midwest so I have thrown in bad weather. I've thrown in many meets where it was raining, maybe even snowing, or sleeting a little bit. I had to preserver and push through. I was able to make myself, my family and you all proud. I will be working all summer to get better because we need to be throwing further and doing what I need to do. I might add the hammer next year as well. We will see."