Athletes hone leadership skills at Big 12 summit

Kansas University junior track and field athlete Rebeka Stowe won the 3,000-meter steeplechase title Sunday at the NACAC Track and Field Championships.

Stowe said she hopes those successes on the field can also transfer over to being a leader on her team.

“I’m learning how to be a better leader,” Stowe said. “I hope that’s a role I can take on.”

Stowe’s leadership skills will get a boost at this weekend’s first Big 12 Leadership Summit at KU. The event invites 48 student athletes from across the conference to engage in activities designed to help those athletes return to their teams as stronger leaders, said Mike Harrity, KU associate athletics director.

The three-day program will focus on communication, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, Harrity said.

The weekend also has a community building activity. On Saturday, the athletes will compete in a kickball game at Memorial Stadium with members of the Douglas County Special Olympics team.

Harrity said the goal of the program is to help athletes “grow personally and professionally.”

“It will help us to be more well-rounded,” said Stowe, who will be joined by fellow KU athletes Chris Gilbert, men’s golf; Daymond Patterson, football; Monica Engelman, women’s basketball; Shelby Williamson, soccer; and Tayler Tolefree, volleyball.

In her two years on the track and field team, Stowe said she realizes being a student athlete means more than just what happens on the field.

“You’re not just doing your sport,” she said.