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 (Photo by Bill Allen/NJ SportAction) caption:
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Bowman Displayed Versatility In Starring for Nassau Swim Club
By Bill Alden
When it comes to sports, Connor Bowman doesn't like to put all his eggs in one basket.
The talented Bowman, who has competed in several triathlons, demonstrated his versatility for the Nassau Swim Club this summer as he piled up points for the team in the backstroke, freestyle, and relay events.
For Bowman, who will be entering his freshman year at Princeton High next month, juggling different sports keeps things fresh.
"I like doing different things instead of focusing on one sport," said Bowman, who plans to compete for the cross country, swimming, and track teams at PHS.
"In swimming, my goals are to compete for the team and improve my times. I'm not going to go crazy about it because it can start to ruin your life."
Bowman got the opportunity to see a lot of action this season for Nassau as he was just one of three boys in the team's 17-and- under group.
"I think we did pretty well because we had lost a lot of good swimmers," maintained Bowman. "We only had three boys swimming at 17-and-under so we had to bring in a 14-and-under swimmer (Miles Radcliffe-Trenner) to even do the relay."
Nassau's lack of depth afforded Bowman the opportunity to test his skills against some of the area's best swimmers. In the Princeton Area Swimming and Diving Association (PASDA) championship meet, he finished third in the men's 17-and-under 50-yard backstroke, third in the 50 free and helped the 200 freestyle relay to a second place finish and the 200 medley relay to a third-place finish.
In the two individual races, Bowman was bested by former PHS star and Rutgers recruit Jesse Applegate. For Bowman, getting the chance to compete against the 6'8 Applegate was a valuable learning experience.
"He intimidates you, he is really, really big," said Bowman, referring to Applegate, who is Bowman's teammate in the year-round X-cel swimming program. "It helps to go against swimmers like him. You see them swim and you try to be like them, compete with them."
Nassau assistant coach James Caverly has certainly seen the improvement in Bowman's swimming this summer. "Connor has been awesome," said Caverly. "This was his first year at swimming at 17-and-under. His form still needs some work but his endurance makes up for that tenfold."
Bowman enjoyed going the distance this summer for Nassau, which went 2-4 in dual meets in PASDA Division I competition and placed third overall in the PASDA championship meet. "You come out, hang out and swim fast," said Bowman. "Nothing is too serious, nobody gives you a hard time if you don't do well. It's fun."
In Bowman's view, Nassau should be mixing some more wins with the fun in future seasons. "We have some really good younger kids," said Bowman, who has been swimming for the club for the last seven or eight summers. "Nassau used to be really good. I think we will get back on top later. It will all recycle itself."
In the meantime, Bowman is ready to get his PHS athletic career underway. "I'm looking forward to being on the swimming team," asserted Bowman. "I've talked to [coach] Greg Hand. Even though we are losing guys like Jesse Applegate, there will be some good swimmers."
One of those good swimmers should be the versatile Bowman.
