Erik Sowinski, a native of Waukesha, Wis., and graduate of Waukesha West High School and the University of Iowa, at age 25 has become at one of America’s premier middle-distance runners. A premier runner at Iowa and in Big Ten and NCAA competition, Sowinski helped lead the Hawkeyes to the Big Ten outdoor title in 2011. One of his first professional races was an auspicious one: running in the Millrose Games and expected to be an also-ran to better-known runners, Erik sprinted past the favorites in the 600-meter run to take the win and the American record in 1:15.61. Still living in Iowa City and coached by World Championships medalist Joey Woody, Sowinski has won two USATF indoor titles at 800 meters and represented the U.S. in the 2014 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Poland.
PRs: 600—1:15.61 (indoor); 800—1:44.58; 1000—2:18.63 (indoor)
