Records Are Meant To Be Broken, And Dowdell Keeps Shattering Them

Just a few weekends ago at the Grand Valley State Big Meet, Ashland University senior Lily Dowdell broke a school record.
 
It would be her third record broken this year alone.

"I can't help but feel overwhelmingly full of gratitude towards the indoor track season so far," Dowdell said. "Coming off of an injury towards the end of the fall season and missing the first indoor meet has taught me patience and strengthened my trust in God's timing."
 
In the 2024-25 season, Dowdell has exploded onto the scene as one of the best distance runners in Ashland University history. Earlier this indoor campaign, she broke the women's indoor records in the 3,000 run and the mile run. Most recently, her new record at the GVSU Big Meet came in the women's 5,000 run, where she came in at a time of 16:27.78, nearly a full minute better than the previous school record.

On Saturday (Feb. 22) at the Ashland Collegiate Tune-Up, Dowdell broke her own record in the 3K in 9:44.93.
 
"The support from AU has been nothing short of incredible," she said. "Lining up for races next to some of the best training partners, with teammates from all track and field specialty groups, coaches, and even professors on the sidelines has been such a blessing."
 
Dowdell, a transfer from Division II University of Charleston, has seemingly taken flight since becoming an Eagle.

"I chose Ashland University for my post graduate studies as it is close to home for me and both of my parents are AU alumni," Dowdell said. "Ashland offered both a historic and strong MBA program as well as a track and field program.
 
"Building relationships with the coaching staff, I knew my running career could thrive through the training, facilities, and team dynamic."
 
In the women's mile run, she is the only runner in AU's history to go sub-five minutes, a feat she has completed multiple times this season alone.
 
Alongside her personal records she has set, she was also part of a school-record breaking distance medley relay. That group consisted of graduate Hope Sievert, juniors Montana Walker and Jade Avance, and Dowdell. They came in at a time of 11:28.53, breaking the previous record by 22 full seconds.
 
"My teammates and coaches have been there for me day in and day out, pushing and guiding me to become a better athlete and person," Dowdell said. "My teammates know how to pick me up on a bad day, and how to keep me smiling on the good days.
 
"Having a coach who is genuinely passionate about the sport of distance running and cares for his athletes is the greatest support I could ever ask for."
 
Dowdell credits the consistent growth she has had from constant work she has done across outdoor and indoor track and field, and cross country. Each of these seasons flows directly into the other.
 
"As a distance athlete, you compete in three high-intensity seasons, cross country indoor and outdoor track and field," she said. "Knowing that my training in each season allows me to keep stacking weeks of training together, allows me to be confident in the work my coach assigns me and that it will all pay off in the long run of each season."
 
The culture at AU has played a direct role in allowing for her to be comfortable no matter the circumstance.
 
"I would not be running healthy and happy if it was not for my faith, coaches, and teammates. This season has allowed me to enjoy the process far more than the outcome of any race," she said. "I have truly enjoyed every practice, race, and team activity this season, making the memories far more valuable than the records."
 
As Dowdell prepares for the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Indoor Championships this weekend and the NCAA Indoor Championships to follow, she has high goals for herself.
 
"I hope to help my team score as many G-MAC conference points as possible and aim for a team title," she said. "As the track and field indoor national championship does not list official qualifications for a few weeks, I am not sure what the future holds on a national level.
 
"However, I know that I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to even make the rankings list this season."
 
While the official qualifications may not be here yet, the rankings have her as one of the top distance athletes in the nation.
 
"If I do happen to make the national qualifications list, I will be more than thrilled to run at the highest stage with Ashland written across my chest alongside many teammates," Dowdell said.
 
Dowdell will next sport the University's colors at the G-MAC Championships on Friday and Saturday (Feb. 28-March 1).