NBC’s Bowden wins SJ Open

BY: Sean Moylan Sports Writer
    Northern Burlington County Regional High boys’ varsity cross country star Mike Bowden not only finished first in Group III in Saturday’s South Jersey Open Cross Country Invitational at Delsea, his fantastic 15:44 time was the best mark since 2002, when Peter Hess ran a 15:18.
    “On Saturday he (Bowden) received a trophy for placing first in Group III and today (Tuesday) he received a special trophy for having the fastest time of any runner in the Open. He was running with a purpose,” said NBC head varsity cross country coach Steve Alustiza. “He placed first in Group III and Group III was the toughest division. It’s (Delsea) a legit 5 K course, but it’s an easy course. But you still have to run it.”
    According to Alustiza, Bowden received a much-needed push by Kingway’s Ryan Culbreath and Shawnee’s David Forward.
    “It was probably with a half a mile to go that he took it over,” said Alustiza of Bowden, who is finally 100 percent healthy. “He’s been running so solid and focused in his last three races that it’s ridiculous.”
    Moreover, Bowden is setting personal records with each and every race. Bowden used to want to break 16 minutes, but now there is no specific goal. Alustiza can now just turn Bowden loose and see what he can do. Bowden has also pushed his fellow NBC teammates to be the best they can be. In fact, Dylan Kurowsky (18th place with a 17:16 time), Ryan Ramirez ( 22nd place with a 17:21 time), Jordan Andrade (34th place with a 17:49 time) all medalled.
    Andre Dupuis just missed medalling as he came in 41st place with an 18:01. Huntley Nolan (18:08 for 46th place) and Todd Hoisington (18:51 for 70th place) also ran strong races for the Greyhounds.
    “All seven of them (had a personal record). I can’t be disappointed with that,” noted Alustiza.
    Always a great runner, Bowden, now a senior, has really found a niche this season. Some practices he’ll go on the course with Kurowsky and Ramirez, and stretch them out to see just how fast they can run.
    “Mike (Bowden) is passing on his routine to all the guys and girls. He leads by quiet example. That’s Mike. And the other guys feed off of that,” said Alustiza, who felt that Bowden was incredibly deserving of Saturday’s title given all the work he has put in the past few years. NBC placed fifth out of 12 teams with 113 points.