Student-Athlete Spotlight: Senior Madi Bowman

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Over the last four years, Madi Bowman (Eaton/Eaton) has been a member of the Defiance College women's track and field and soccer programs. Bowman has left her impression on DC athletics and was looking toward a promising outdoor track and field season before the coronavirus cut her career short. 

While many NCAA Division III athletes who were affected will have the opportunity to return for a season of eligibility, Bowman is looking to her future away from DC with a positive outlook. 

With the spring semester winding down in these unprecedented times, Bowman has continued striving forward in her studies. Successfully maintaining a high standard of academics while balancing hectic campus life and athletic schedules, Bowman has successfully achieved her post-graduate goals. 

"I'm really proud of everything I have accomplished here at Defiance College," said Bowman. "I've achieved my goal of getting into a physical therapy school and plan to go get my doctorate from the University of Findlay." 

While Bowman is still hopeful in the prospect of throwing at Findlay, the senior will always miss her connections made here at Defiance. 

"I especially am going to miss being a part of the soccer and track teams," Bowman added. "My teammates on both of those teams are like family to me, and I don't know what I'd do without them!" 

Bowman's impact at Defiance does not stop at academics or her campus involvement. The Eaton native's name will likely be found in DC athletics record books for years to come. 

After recording two shutouts and two wins for the women's soccer team in the fall, Bowman tackled the challenging indoor track and field season. After consistent improvement over her time at DC, Bowman showcased her talents in the impressive final track and field campaign. 

"I thought I had a pretty decent indoor season," Bowman stated. "My goal was to qualify for nationals, but looking back, I'm pretty happy with everything that I accomplished!" 

A brief look over the headlines of the DC women's track and field season encapsulates Bowman's impact this past winter. 

After shattering her own Defiance College record in the weight throw in early February with a toss of 16.85m, Bowman continued to chase a spot in the NCAA Division III Indoor Nationals. Along the way, she tabbed two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Championships.   

At the conference championships, hosted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Bowman earned a weight throw title with a 15.99m mark, and a shot put crown with an 11.29m toss. After claiming the pair of titles for the Yellow Jackets, Bowman was named Women's Indoor Most Valuable Field Athlete. 

The accolades attached to Bowman's name did not stop at the HCAC Championships. At the annual Swarm Awards, hosted on Twitter on April 26, Bowman took home not only the Individual Moment of the Year Award but also the prestigious Purple and Gold Distinguished Athlete Award. The latter is presented to an outstanding senior student-athlete for her contribution to the team, campus, and community over the course of her career. 

Athletically, Bowman holds the school record in the weight throw, is third all-time in the hammer throw, and eighth all-time in the discus. Bowman also holds the DC record for minutes played in goal as well as career saves as part of the women's soccer program. 

The senior's impact outside of athletics is prevalent as Bowman maintained a 3.75 GPA while serving as a residence life assistant, Panama McMaster Scholar, a member of the Campus Activities Board, and a member of Alpha Phi Omega. Bowman also claimed All-Academic Team honors from the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association during her senior year.