Circleville City Schools recognized and thanked the McGowan family for their generous donation to the track facilities at the CHS Track Invitational last month. In honor of their continued support, the facility will now be known as The McGowan Family Track. To commemorate this momentous event, a rock displaying the facility's new name has been placed just inside the entrance of the track and field complex.
The McGowans has been integral of the Circleville track and field family since the 1970s with each boy earning a spot in the record books.
Bill, a 1971 graduate was a sectional and district champion in track and placed fifth in the state meet in the 880 yard run, He was the league champion and held the 880 yard run.
Matt, a 1974 graduate was named all-district and all SCOL cross country team in 1972 and 1973. He was also a state qualifier for cross country in 1971 and 1973. He was named to the all district and all regional team in 1974, earned all SCOL in 1973 and 1974 and held the record for the mile. Matt was inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in 2006. Matt was a seven time National qualifier in cross country and track at Ohio Northern University. He also placed 33rd and 53rd in the Boston Marathon. While in graduate school at Miami University he started the women's cross country program.
Jeff, a 1983 graduate, was all-SCOL, all Central District and all Ohio for cross country. In track, Jeff was named all SCOL, and all Central District. He still holds the record for the 800 meter - 1:53.8, 1600 meter - 4:15.1 and 5,000 meter in cross country - 15:28. As a junior, Jeff was state runner up in the 1600 meter run and placed third in the 800 meter run. As a senior, he was named Cross Country Runner of the Year in the Central District and placed third in the OHSAA Cross Country Championships. During his senior track season, Jeff finished as the State runner up in the 1600 meter and 800 meter runs. Sadly, his college career at Ohio University was cut short when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Jeff was inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame in 2003. Unfortunately, Jeff passed away due to a blood clot after major surgery on May 26, 2012.
Matt and Jeff started the print RUNOHIO in 1988 and the www.runohio.com web site which covers Ohio and National running.
Matt and Jeff where awarded the President Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Ohio Association of USA Track & Field in 2013-
The parents of these tremendous athletes are Jean and the late James McGowan. James passed away in 1988, but Jean has been a driving force in support of the cross country and track programs at Circleville High School of nearly 50 years. In the late 1980's Jean and Matt started the Circleville Classic 5 Miler in support of Jeff's battle with cancer. After Jeff's passing, the Jeff McGowan Memorial Scholarship Fund was created. The scholarship is awarded annually to one outstanding member of the senior class. Proceeds from the (Columbus) Jeff McGowan Memorial 5K in August and the Circleville Classic 5 Mile in October go to the Jeff McGowan Memorial Fund.