Lauren Bower brings the power in her second season

Along with her sneakers and water bottle, sophomore sprint and mid-distance runner Lauren Bower always carries a pack of gummy bears in her bag.

A Bethlehem native and graduate of Notre Dame High School in Easton, Bower began running at age 10 and competed in a Catholic Youth Organization league. 

“I have to eat gummy bears before every single race or workout,” Bower said. “I think it’s partly superstition, but I love it as a quick sugar boost.”

In high school, she was a two-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association team cross-country state champion, earned eight individual PIAA state medals and won 24 district and league medals across her events.                          

During the recruitment process, Bower said she was initially hesitant to stay in Bethlehem. However, she said she was impressed by the training style of Lehigh cross-country coach Debbie Utesch and ultimately decided to stay close to home.  

Bower said her running career began with cross-country before shifting into track as a sprinter. Since then, she’s gradually transitioned back into longer-distance events. 

Bower ran an indoor personal-best time of 2:14.02 at the Penn Select meet on Jan. 10, finishing seventh and ranking 48th in the NCAA. 

She was also a member of the record-setting indoor 4×400 relay team at the Indoor Classic last year as a first-year, helping set a new Lehigh record of 3:48.53. 

Track and field coach Khayla Atte said Bower is a power-based runner, which allows her to stand out in the field. 

“Bower is physically stronger than most athletes who run the 800 and up, which lets her approach training differently,” Atte said. “That strength also helps her run a very strong 400, and she can go out faster, stay with the pack and even sprint away when it counts.”

Bower primarily competes in the 400-meter and 800-meter events but said she prefers long-distance racing, with the 800 as her favorite. She said the event gives her enough time to strategically visualize the rest of the race. 

“It’s the perfect distance for me because there’s so much opportunity to picture what will happen,” she said. “A 400-meter run feels like a warmup, and I like being able to settle into my race and see my competitors.” 

Bower said her upperclassmen teammates have had a major impact on her development, especially senior Amber Barrios. 

Bower and Barrios have been training partners for more than a year. Barrios said Bower stood out as a promising recruit two years ago, and she wanted to take on a mentorship role. 

“With every underclassman-upperclassman relationship, you never know how it’s going to work, but it’s been so fun to watch (Bower’s) progress, especially this season,” Barrios said. “We are always pushing each other, and (Bower) always gives it her all.” 

At the Patriot League Indoor Championships on March 2, 2025, Bower earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors as part of the distance medley relay team. 

Despite falling short of first place, Bower said she used the result to fuel her determination. In her final meet of the 2025 season, she set a personal record. 

“(The personal record) led to great momentum going into the next season for her,” Barrios said. “(Bower) is making a name for herself and is already a standout for us in her second year.” 

Atte said Bower is a steady presence on the team and is completely self-motivated. 

“People want results immediately in anything they do, and 99% of the time it’s not going to happen that way,” Bower said. “You have to put in the work and demand excellence to get those results.”