Colon High School’s Ruby Bower signs with University of Indiana Kokomo

COLON — Colon senior Ruby Bower is going to be running track in college.

The decision was a relatively easy one for her, she said. It’s been something she has been thinking and dreaming about for some time. Now, following her graduation from Colon High School, Bower will be attending the University of Indiana at Kokomo. IU Kokomo’s athletes compete in the River States Conference of the NAIA and the location and overall feel of the school really stood out for Bower.

“When I went on my visit, I really loved it there,” she said. “Everyone was so amazing, we had a great visit. Everyone was very welcoming and that meant something to me.”

Bower said the coaching staff for the Cougars was also very welcoming. That played a big role in her ultimate decision to join with the school, because they showed a big interest in her as an athlete and student.

And while she is looking forward to the rest of her senior year at Colon and future with the Cougars, Bower said she’s glad to have her future set up the way it is. She knows where she is going, so there’s less pressure on her and she can enjoy herself and time with friends and family.

Colon athletic director and track and field coach Noah Dooley said IU Kokomo is a really solid fit for Bower as an athlete and a person. It’s not a giant school and the Cream & Crimson is a community where Bower can flourish and continue to grow as a person and athlete.

“She’s quick, she has gotten better and is still developing and she wants to continue to get a lot better, so that’s important,” Dooley said. “When an athlete wants to do it, you know they aren’t where they are by accident. I do think she belongs in college track and it’s a good spot for her.”

Bower is a good student. Her time management skills are impeccable. They are both attributes she values in herself as she likes to work ahead on her schedule to make sure things go smoothly. A self-proclaimed “over achiever” when it comes to that stuff, Bower said being ahead of the curve makes her comfortable.

Things happen, as she knows, but being prepared helps to keep a lot of that minimal. She has had lofty goals for herself both on the athletic field and in the classroom and plans to continue those.

“I want to stay in the Top 10 in my class so that when I walk across the stage at graduation, I know I tried my best and pushed through some difficult times in high school,” Bower said.

She said she is a bit nervous, but that is just fine. Bower said she knows it’s a much bigger place than she is used to being at Colon, but she is also optimistic about the uncomfortableness.

Dooley, who was a track and field athlete in college, said Bower’s attention to detail will help her at the next level.

“It will push her, adjusting to a new coach takes hard work, it takes showing up every day but I believe she can handle that,” he said. “She’s a sprinter and she has solid running mechanics. She’s getting stronger and her excitement about it all is good.”

Initially, Bower said she wanted to be a teacher when she was younger. She is currently a student aide in her mom’s classroom where she helps struggling kids and talks them through things when needed. But when it comes to her studies in college, Bower plans to take a different path.

She will be studying radiology. When she was a freshman, she broke her hand in the springtime and while it was painful, she experienced an appreciation for the process.

“I loved how caring the people were and I really was interested in the machinery,” she said. “While I wanted to be a teacher, that experience really reached out more to me and drew my interest.”

When it comes to the track, Bower said her best event is the 100 dash. She’s been working at it since middle school and it’s her favorite race as well. But she’s also open to the relay events as well. Bower was a member of the Division 4 state-qualifying 400 relay team for Colon last year.

“I love relays. I’ve enjoyed the different teammates I’ve had and it was great to make state last year,” she said. “I’m prepared to help get back to state again this year, that would be amazing.”

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