Bowen earns back-to-back wins in Texas

Sonoma Academy junior doesn’t challenge meet record in 2,000-meter steeplechase, but becomes first female in meet history to repeat as high school champion

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Sonoma Academy CA junior Rylee Bowen became the first girl to repeat as champion in the 2,000-meter steeplechase in meet history, clocking a national-leading 7 minutes, 2.06 seconds Thursday at the 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.

Bowen, who won in a meet-record 6:53.34 last year, was competing in only her second event of the outdoor season and racing for the first time since March 12 at the New Balance Nationals Indoor.

Bowen grabbed the lead on the second lap and never looked back, lowering the March 25 mark of 7:10.67 by senior Kayley Delay of Fletcher FL. Sydney Rice of Notre Dame Academy NY was second in 7:14.44.

Bowen’s best time remains a California state record and U.S. No. 11 all-time 6:41.26 from the 2015 World Youth Trials in Illinois.

Bowen is scheduled to compete Friday in her first 1,600 of the outdoor season. She finished second at last year’s meet in 4:51.26.