Senior Kenzie Bowen didn’t join cross country until her sophomore year, at the suggestion of Coach Rich Wright. 

“I only started cross country because Coach Wright kind of took me in and really made me feel a part of it. He was the person who really convinced me to try cross country during the track season of freshman year,” Bowen said.

Since then, cross country has become more than just a sport for her; it’s a big part of her life Bowen juggles cross country, track, and softball while also working at Aerie Offline in South Hills Village Mall.

“The schedule is difficult. I try not to procrastinate,” Bowen said. 

Even with a packed schedule, Bowen shows up every day to practice giving her all. During the summer, she tries to attend at least one optional pre-season training session a day. Additionally, she participates in weightlifting for softball and attends tournaments on weekends.

She enjoys almost all the cross country courses that she runs, but she found a new favorite on her recent trip to Hershey Park.

“It’s the state course. It’s challenging in the best ways,” Bowen said.

She prefers the cold when running and says her favorite season is fall.

Bowen also finds motivation through her teammates.

“Teammates keep me going, and knowing that bad days make the good ones even better,” Bowen said.

Her biggest inspiration on the team has been sophomore Cheyanne Trout.

“Her dedication and passion for the sport are inspiring. She makes you want to try harder,”  Bowen said. 

Another teammate who has a strong connection with Bowen is senior Anna Plunkett, who said that being captains together has made them closer.

“Kenzie and I joined cross country together sophomore year. On and off the course, she’s a positive influence because she works hard and supports everyone,” Plunkett said. “Even if we’re grumpy after a meet, we’ll go sit next to each other and joke around, and it just makes us laugh.”

New to the team, sophomore Savannah Carter appreciates Bowen’s positive and supportive attitude.

“Being on a team with someone so positive and uplifting really makes the hard times more enjoyable,” Carter said. “She is always there for everyone and checks up on us as a team often, along with our other captains.”

As she wraps up her high school cross country career, Bowen hopes to soak in every last moment of her senior season. She hopes to run in college, possibly at Bucknell University, and plans to study pre-law.