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Averi Lowen earns signature win in Great American XC Festival Girls' Race of ChampionsPublished by
By Ricky Quintana Cary, NC - Bowdon, GA junior Averi Lowen came away with an impressive signature win in the Girls Race Of Champions race Saturday morning at the Great American XC Festival.
Earlier in the week, Lowen received an expected uniform with a nice surprise. It was a new uniform with an insignia with her mother's initials LL and the breast cancer pink ribbon on it.
“ Averi wanted the breast cancer symbol on it and our friend Judy Brozo designed it," said father Jason who shared pictures of the uniform via text. "The LL was for her mother Leanne Lowen. It had me crying at work, My colleague was balling with me as well. As if Averi needed more motivation.”
Leanne Lowen was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2022. Jason stopped working for two years to care for his wife. She passed away two years later in May of 2024, longer than the doctors had predicted.
“We knew what the outcome was going to be, so I wanted to care for her during that time,” he said.” Averi was by my side the whole time. She was painting her toenails when she passed. It was a turning point for her. I've never seen anything like it. Instead of being down, it inspired her. Whatever she is going through on the course now, I don’t worry about her because she’s been through a lot. She’s a soldier.”
Lowen was primed for Saturday’s race which featured her most competitive Great American field in years. Her closest competition this season was 1:32 behind and the opportunity to race against the competitive field excited her. She also carried her mom’s memory with her, and this month, Breast Cancer awareness month added more gravitas to the race.
“ My mom passed away from breast cancer last year. To wear her on my shoulder really encouraged me to go out there and win for her. I know she would have wanted to be here and she was definitely on my mind. I felt like she carried me up that last hill. It felt great.”
Lining up next to the Latta family, South Texas Heat Homeschool team, that included 4:36 miler Elin, she bolted out to the lead and opened up with a 4:54 mile, [her personal best is 4:55.28] well clear of the field. By 2k, she was 14.3 seconds up and building her lead.
Lowen has been putting in the work to be able to handle the paces she has been running. Two weeks before Great American she ran 12 x 400 with 200 meter float (active rest she calls it) averaging 72 seconds and this week, 10 minute tempo at 5:45 mile pace, then 3 x 1k at 3:10 with 3 minute rest then 2 x 800 meter at 2:28 with 1 minute. She does these on her own after school on her high school track.
“She’s on another level,” said experienced Marist (Atlanta, GA) Head Cross Country Coach, Matt McMurray by phone this past week. “I follow her on Strava and she is doing amazing workouts that not even some of my boys can do. At Wingfoot, which is a tough course, she didn’t break or bend. She just kept the pace through it all- hills, turns, hay bales.”
“ I would have never seen myself here, but I know my hard work is paying off. It means a lot. Those girls are my idols and to be behind my idols is a great thing to hear.” “ I can see myself doing bigger things than I expected this year. It’s great.”
Results 6. 17:00.0 Lily Alder - US #5 BYU Commit 7. 17:04.0 Georgy Helmers - NR Furman commit 8. 17:05.5 Elina Latta - US #7 Sophomore 9. 17:05.5 Mackenzie Skelly - NR Freshman 10. 17:09.6 Abigail Anstett - 17:09.6 Junior More news |
