Joplin senior Donovyn Fowler is getting an opportunity very few student-athletes get.
On Tuesday, Fowler sat with family by his side as he signed his letter of intent to continue his track and field career at Oklahoma University.
“It definitely means a lot coming from a little kid who never would have dreamed of making it to this big of a college,” Fowler said. “Watching Mizzou growing up, I definitely thought it was going to be Mizzou, but the coaching staff at Oklahoma really changed my opinion on that.”
“It’s really exciting,” Fowler added about attending a Power Five school. “All of the people who support me can continue to support me by watching on TV as I compete at one of the highest levels.”
The Sooners weren’t the only program courting Fowler either. Fowler was also considering the University of Missouri as well as Indiana University. So, why Oklahoma?
“It was really just all of the athletes there,” Fowler said. “They’re more like one big happy family. They are all connected in one way or another. And the coaching staff, it’s kind of like having your own family there, but they are also honest with you about how they’re going to make you better. It’s fun as much as it’s business.”
Fowler is a multi-sport athlete who also played football in the fall as a starting defensive back. When asked if he felt being a dual-sport athlete helped him develop more as student-athlete, Fowler was quick to confirm he was a supporter of playing multiple sports.
“It’s definitely made me a lot tougher,” Fowler said. “It has helped me build the character I have today. … You should definitely do multiple sports. It helps you stay in shape during the offseason and you gain a lot of friendships playing multiple sports.”
Fowler will be focusing on the triple jump and the long jump as a field athlete at Oklahoma. He is also preparing for his final season with the Joplin track and field program this spring. Fowler will look to build off a stellar junior campaign that saw him set PRs while breaking his own school record multiple times in the triple jump (49 feet, 11.5 inches) on the way to multiple first-place finishes in both jumps. At the state meet, Fowler took second in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump. He is ready for the opportunity to improve on that.
“I just want to break all of the records I can,” Fowler said about his goals for his senior season. “I also want to win athlete of the year for Mo Sports. That would definitely be a big accomplishment.”
