Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1986
An outstanding sprinter who continues to make his mark on the collegiate track and field scene as a coach, Fred Sowerby made a good thing even better when he came to Murray State in 1970.
His addition bolstered an already nationally recognized relay team comprised of Lee Roy McGinnis, Ashman Samuels, and fellow MSU Hall of Fame member Tommie Tuner. The foursome streaked to a 3:06.3 outdoor mile relay, which still stands as the MSU record in the event. That performance earned them a trip to the NCAA championship that season.
By the time he left Murray State, Sowerby had contributed to four school record times in relay events: the spring medley (3:24.7 in 1971), distance medley relay (10:11.8 in 1972), the indoor mile relay (3:12.8 in 1971), and the outdoor mile relay, the only one of the four still unbroken.
Although an effective team member, Sowerby also was an outstanding individual performer as well, gaining NCAA All-America honors in the 600-yard run indoors in 1972.
His personal best as a Racer in the 440-yard dash converted to a 46.2-second 400 meters, which stands as the third-best effort in Murray State history at that distance and was the second-best at the time.
After graduating from Murray State, Sowerby continued his track career, representing his native Antigua in the Games of the XXI Olympiad in Montreal in 1976, where he competed in the 400-meter dash and the 1600-meter relay.
Currently women’s track coach at Delaware State College, Sowerby resides in Dover, Del. (The Murray Ledger & Times, October 20, 1986, Homecoming ’86)
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| Johnny Reagan & Fred Sowerby | Class of 1986 Jim Moore, Fred Sowerby, Dick Cunningham, Cal Luther, & Jim Moore |
