GIRLS’ TRACK AND FIELD / 1994 PREVIEW : Bowman Jumps at Chance to Shine for Newport Harbor

Though she competes in only one event, Newport Harbor junior Tina Bowman is busier than the rest of her track and field teammates.

Out of school at 2 p.m., she rushes to basketball practice where she works out from 2:15 to 4:30. Then she hustles to join Sailor teammates at the high jump pit until 6. From there, she leaves to practice with the Orange County Volleyball Club until 10.

“I wish I had more time to myself, but I really am glad that I’m doing what I am,” said Bowman, the defending Sea View League and Southern Section Division II high jump champion.

Besides her daily grind, Bowman has already put in a busy prep year. She played a key role on Newport Harbor’s volleyball team, which finished undefeated in the Sea View League but lost to league rival Corona del Mar in the Southern Section Division I and State finals.

She is also a forward on the Newport Harbor girls’ basketball team, which finished second in league to undefeated Woodbridge and entered the Division III-AA playoffs with a 19-6 record.

As for her favorite sport? “I think it’s a tie between volleyball and track,” Bowman said.

“Basketball is my least favorite of the three, because it’s the one that I contribute least to the team,” said Bowman, who was in Coach Shannon Jakosky’s seven-player rotation.

“I’m probably better at track and volleyball, so, of course, I like them better.”

The biggest day of Bowman’s track and field career came at last season’s Mt. San Antonio Relays, where she jumped a personal best 5 feet 9 1/4 inches to win the event.

“That day really got me excited,” she said. “I had been stuck on 5-8 for so long (the height she reached in winning the section title). . . . I could make 5-6 no problem, then I would choke every time the bar would get there.”

As with most athletes who juggle three sports, Bowman isn’t really sure where the future will take her.

“Hey, I’ll take a scholarship wherever I can get it,” Bowman laughs.

Said Newport Harbor Coach Eric Tweit: “Since she got such a late start in athletics (eighth grade), she is still learning and managing to get by on her athletic ability.”

It’s Bowman’s natural ability that is brought up, no matter who is speaking or what sport is being discussed.

“She is probably a borderline (NCAA) Division I volleyball player, but definitely has Division I talent in track,” said Rick Foster, the jumps coach at Newport Harbor.

Said Tweit: “She does well because she is a very, very competitive young lady. I have never seen her compete poorly in a big meet when it counts.”

The Sailors may be counting on Bowman more this spring.

“We definitely need to make more use of her,” said Tweit, suggesting she may be adding hurdles to her repertoire.

“Everybody wants to see her run,” he said.

Friendship and competition drive Bowman, who is best friends, main rival and part-time coaching confidant of teammate Misty May, The Times Orange County’s volleyball player of the year.

“Sometimes it’s easier to listen to her (May) when things are going badly in practice instead of Coach Foster,” said Bowman, who finished last June’s State meet in third place in the high jump, one place behind May.

“I think having Misty around has made things easier for both of them,” Tweit said, “because they always have someone out there on the infield and are never alone.

“It makes things a lot more comfortable for both of them.”

Goals are something that are often reviewed on the high jump apron at Newport Harbor, with Bowman and May eyeing the six-foot barrier.

“We could legitimately have two six-foot high jumpers this season,” Tweit said. “And if it doesn’t happen this year, my guess is that it will next year.”

“That is definitely my goal,” Bowman said. “Every jumper wants to make six feet.”

One way to help reach that goal, Bowman has learned, is through relaxation.

“We soul stretch at the beginning of practice,” said Bowman, who describes the “stretching” as nothing more than lying on the high jump mats and relaxing.

“That is the key to high jumping. If you’re tense, you’re going to miss.”