Maggie Bowen Honored as Mississippi Amateur Athlete of the Year
JACKSON, Miss. ¯ Auburn junior swimmer Maggie Bowen continues collecting honors as a result of her stunning 2001 performances as she has now been named the Mississippi Amateur Athlete of the Year by the Jackson Touchdown Club.
The Jackson, Miss., native developed a prestigious resume in 2001 including winning the 2001 FINA World Championship in the 200-meter individual medley. Bowen also claimed the American, US Open and NCAA Record in the 200-yard IM on her way to the NCAA title in that event. She doubled up her earnings at the NCAA Championships winning the 400 IM as well.
In late December, Bowen was recognized as the Clarion-Ledger Athlete of the Year for the state of Mississippi in 2001. After winning three individual SEC titles and setting an SEC record in the 200 IM, she was named the Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Year by the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Currently, Bowen holds three individual school records and is a six-time SEC Champion in just two years of collegiate competition.
In 1998, Maggie's sister Mimi, a former Auburn swimmer, was honored for the same award by the Jackson Touchdown Club, which makes the duo the first sisters to both receive the award since the award's inception in 1946.
Bowen will receive the honor April 19 in Vicksburg, Miss. and will be awarded along with their Professional Athlete of the Year, Brett Favre, and the Mississippi Hall of Fame inductees.