Oswego State Athletics

From 1979-83, Mark Bowman was a fixture in the Oswego State wrestling lineup. Bowman was a three-time qualifier for the NCAA Division III Championship and a four-time SUNYAC Championship placewinner. In 1980, he became who is believed to be the first Oswego State freshman to receive All-America recognition in any sport after finishing in eighth place at 142 pounds. Three years later, Bowman closed out his career with a runner-up finish at the 1983 NCAA Division III Championship in the 158-pound weight class.

Bowman continued to be involved with education and wrestling after graduation. He has served as a high school coach for more than 25 years, resulting in multiple Ohio Capital Conference team championships, multiple state champions and a citation from the Ohio House of Representatives for community service. He also helped fund and volunteered time for the construction of a Big Walnut School District building, which was subsequently named after him.

Bowman graduated with his bachelor’s degree in education from SUNY Oswego in 1983 and master’s degree in education from Ashland University in 2004. Presently, he is the principal of Utica High School, which has garnered an excellent rating from the Ohio State Board of Education.