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Show PERSONALITY 3 DYLAN FERGUSON STAFF REPORTER Sophomore, Maddie Bowman, embraces her Japanese competitor, Ayana Onozuka, during the 2014 Winter Oympic Games. Bowman took home a gold medal in the Womens Halfpipe Skiing at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. PHOTO CREDIT Sarah BrunsonUSSA experiences at the Olympics, Bowman described her time but sophomore in Sochi as, Cool and excitMaddie Bowman could be ing, but the Olympics definiteconsidered above average, she ly pushed me in different ways that I hadnt expected. won a major event last year. skiing Competitively During the 2014 Sochi Bowman since childhood, got Winter Olympic Games, Bowaround the into age freeskiing man was able to capture the able to She of was 13. improve first ever Gold Medal in Womens Freeskiing Halfpipe, ce- her skills quickly and she has been a member of the U.S. menting her place in the histeam since 2012. tory books. Both halfpipe and Freeskiing Bowman has won X Games slopestyle skiing were two Womens Halfpipe two years new additions to the Olymin a row (2013 and 2014) and pics in 2014, helping make their mark on an international is pushing the levels of womens skiing, by following in the stage, said Bowman. Bowmans new hardware footsteps of Sarah Burke. According to Freeskier has certainly presented her with many perks, including Magazine, Burke was a pioa red carpet appearance at the neer in the spotlight of womstar studded ESPY awards, ens freeskiing and passed but she simply views this as away in January 2012 during a crash in the Park City motivation for her future. When talking about her Mountain Resort Halfpipe. She walks around as an average Bowman hopes to push the women involved in freeskiing, as much as Burke led the path for her. Bowman recognizes the delicate balance between her skiing career and her life as a student. She attributes her athletic success to her life as a student, which has helped keep her mind focused and refreshed for the winter season. Bowman said, I really like going to school because it gives me something else to think about besides skiing and makes me a more person. It is not all about skiing with Bowman. She also enjoys hiking, mountain biking, playing at the lake and all the good adventures Mother Nature ofwell-round- ed fers. Brita Sigourney, Bow mans U.S. Olympic teammate said, Maddie is always doing homework while traveling toward the end of Fall semester, but she somehow manages to keep her mind in the right place while skiing. Bowman isnt the only Olympian on campus that focuses on both school and competing. Faye Gulini, junior accounting major and 2014 Olympic Snowboard Team member said, I like having school to offset competing and training. It gives me more motivation for when the season comes around and then I am more hyped on it. In regards to retirement from competitive snowboarding, Gulini said, I am planning on retiring after 2018, so having a college degree when I retire will help funnel me into my next endeavors. Bowman recently had knee surgery and said, My mom taught me its important to go to school because you wont have your body for ever, and my recent knee injury made me realize that my body cant last forever. Bowman encourages students at Westminster, whether they have an Olympic gold medal or not, to always remember to think long term and create a positive life experience with time spent at school. Disclosure: Writer Dylan Ferguson is on the U.S. Ski team and this article does not reflect on the relationship he has with the athletes quoted. |