Shelbyville’s Bowers putting team success first on the track

Shelbyville’s Bowers putting team success first on the track

SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) – Shelbyville distance runner Tessa Bowers is hoping to put a bow on a stellar high school running career.

On Wednesday, as the Rams hosted a 1A girls’ track and field sectional, she won the 800 and helped the team to wins in the 4×800 and 4×400, while also qualifying for state with a second place finish in the 1600.

The Rams hope to defend their state title in the 4×800 at state.

Bowers, a senior, hasn’t broken her personal record in the 1600 since her sophomore year. She has improved, but rarely runs the mile fresh – regularly volunteering to contribute to team success in multiple events earlier in meets.

“The team is such a big part of it for me, so [sitting out of relays] was never really an option for me,” Bowers said. “I’d always choose the team over my individual events. Just like having that victory with them is a lot better than for myself.”

“One of our slogans is better together, and as a team she has always represented someone who is willing to put others above herself,” Shelbyville head girls’ track coach Jason Palmer said.

The Rams won their sectional on Wednesday with 122 points.

Click here for more results from Wednesday’s sectional meets. Click here for more results from Thursday’s sectional meets.

WCIA is featuring one local track and field athlete daily leading up to the boys’ and girls’ state meets. See more recent stories below:

• BHRA’s Thomason clearing barriers with ease, state bound in multiple events
• Lewandowski upholding high standard for Centennial track
• Maroa-Forysth’s Eighner sets sights on IHSA state title before running in Big Ten