Bowen happy to be back on track

Sonoma Academy standout looking to rebound following disappointment indoors, defend her 2,000-meter steeplechase title at 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Rylee Bowen hasn’t arrived at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays with the expectations of breaking any records in the 2,000-meter steeplechase, whether it be her own meet standard 6 minutes, 53.34 from last season or the California all-time high school mark 6:41.26, which she set in 2015.

Bowen, a junior at Sonoma Academy, just wants to complete the race and feel good while doing so.

Bowen hasn’t raced since dropping out of the mile March 12 at New Balance Nationals Indoor, later confirmed by doctors that she was battling anemia and low ferritin levels.

Rylee and freshman sister Kate Bowen were scheduled to race March 24-25 at the 77th NIKE Chandler Rotary Invitational in Arizona, but both decided to wait another week before competing in a high-profile out-of-state meet.

“I’m already feeling a lot better,” Rylee Bowen said. “I think training is going really well.”

Bowen ranks No. 11 in U.S. prep history with her performance at the 2015 World Youth Trials in Illinois, before she placed 14th in the 2,000 steeplechase at the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia. She won the event by 19 seconds in her Texas Relays debut last year, lowering the meet record by more than five seconds.

Kayley Delay of Fletcher FL is the national leader this season at 7:10.67.

Rylee Bowen will also compete Friday in the 1,600 and Kate Bowen will run Saturday in the 3,200.