JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Former Eagle track & field star and Jefferson City native Amanda Lowe was named the new Carson-Newman cheer and dance coach on Wednesday, Aug. 18.
"Cheerleading has been a passion of mine my entire life," says Lowe. "To have this opportunity to coach a college team is awesome. And I get to give back to the university that I had a chance to cheer at and compete on the track team during my time as a student."
Lowe was previously a cheerleader for the University of Tennessee Volunteers for one year before transferring back home to Mossy Creek. Lowe was also a member of the Carson-Newman cheer squad for one season before leaving the team to focus on her track & field career.
As a member of the Carson-Newman track & field squad, Lowe first broke the school record in the 60 meter run in 2019, before breaking it twice again in her final indoor season, tying teammate Tia Davis for a school record time of 7.72 seconds. Lowe earned USTFCCCA All-Region Honors for the 2021 indoor track & field season.
In outdoor competition, Lowe earned the silver medal as a member of the women's 4x100 meter relay team at the 2019 SAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. Lowe earned the bronze medal in the same event at the 2021 SAC Outdoor championships, setting a new school record with a time of 47.38 seconds in the event. Two weeks later, Lowe and her cohorts of Tia Davis, Timaya Ray and Morgan Bailey broke the school record again at the Lee Last Chance Meet with a time of 47.32 seconds.
Lowe finished her track & field career at Carson-Newman with 52 top-10 finishes across the indoor and outdoor seasons in the 60 meter, 100 meter, 200 meter and the 4x100 meter relay.
"From running track, I've been able to learn leadership skills," says Lowe. "I also feel like being able to support these cheerleaders and dancers in no matter what they're going through is important."
Lowe takes over for the late Christy Bowlin who passed away on July 15, 2021 after a three-and-a-half year battle with breast cancer. Under Bowlin, the team took home several awards, including first-place honors at the 2018 NDA Cheer Camp in the Gameday and Rally Routines Division-II section. The squad also recorded a pair of top-10 finishes at the NCA College National Championships.
"We've done really well at nationals in the past," says Lowe. "Our goal is to get better every year. I also want us to get more involved in the community so hopeful folks will see us around campus and town a lot more."
The Eagles cheer and dance teams make their return to the sidelines on Sept. 2 as the Carson-Newman football team takes on West Georgia. For more information on the cheer and dance squad and on all Carson-Newman athletics, head to cneagles.com.
