COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK & FIELD: OWEGO’S BOWERS LEAVES IMPRESSIVE LEGACY AT NAZARETH (2023-08-15)

ROCHESTER — Owego and Nazareth University grad Nate Bowers received three scholar-athlete awards this past spring for his efforts in the classroom and as a distance standout for the cross country and track & field teams.

Bowers was the male recipient of the Kidera Scholar-Athlete Award, named after former Nazareth College President Robert A. Kidera, who spearheaded the growth of the Nazareth athletic program during his tenure from 1976 through 1984. To be eligible, award recipients must be a senior with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, display character and leadership in campus activities, and be a member in good standing on a varsity team.

He was also selected to the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association’s All-Academic list and received Academic All-District honors from the College Sports Communicators Association. The honors required minimum GPAs of 3.3 and and 3.5, respectively.

During his senior campaign, Bowers recorded seven top-3 showings at Empire 8 Conference championship meets.

He won the indoor 3,000-meter title with a time of 8:52.8, placed second in the mile (4:27.89) and third in the 5,000 (16:10.15).

Bowers was the Empire 8 runner-up at the cross country championships, clocking 25:48.2 over the 8K course.

At the outdoor track & field championships, he took second in the 5,000 (15:33.58) and 10,000 (32:41.08), and third in the 1500 (4:07.6).

Bowers set a school record in the outdoor 5,000 in 2022 with a time of 15:08.37, then broke it again in 2023, clocking 14:51.19. He also established an E-8 meet record (32:26.29) in the 10,000 in 2022.

He was also named the Empire 8 Track Athlete of the Year in 2022, and was selected to the all-conference first team in the 5K and 10K in both 2021 and 2022. In 2023, he was on the 5K and 10K second team, and 1500 third team.

In indoor track, he was a first team pick in the 3,000, second team in the mile and third team in the 5,000 as a senior, and was second team in all three events as a junior. He was also on the first team in the 5K in 20221 and second team in the 3K in 2020.

He ranks among Nazareth’s top five in the indoor mile, 3,000, 5,000 and distance medley relay, and the outdoor 1500, 5,000 and 10,000.

He enjoyed a successful cross country career as well, placing in the top 25 at regionals as a junior and a senior.

Bowers majored in environmental science and sustainability and global sustainability, and minored in toxicology and studio art. He will remain at Nazareth to pursue a masters degree in education.