A native Kansan, Rebeka attended the University of Kansas, where she competed and trained from 2008-2012. Under the direction of Coach Michael Whittlesey, Rebeka's career as a Jayhawk flourished, earning a Big 12 Steeplechase Title in addition to Academic and Athletic All-American Honors. Her time as a Jayhawk came to an end 2012 US Olympic Team Trials, as a finalist in the Steeplechase.

Off the track Rebeka earned a number of honors, being recognized as a University of Kansas Woman of Distinction, Female Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, and University of Kansas Outstanding Female in Athletics. Rebeka was also named to the Big 12 Community Circle of Champions Circle.

Following her time at Kansas, Rebeka moved to the East Coast to pursue her professional running career under the supervision of Frank Gagliano, Tommy Nohilly, and the New Jersey New York Track Club.

Three years later, after narrowly missing the 2016 Olympic Trials she chose to stay on the East Coast to build as a coach. Athletically, she continued training with the direction of Jason Vigilante at Princeton University.

In 2017 Rebeka qualified for her 7th US Outdoor Championships where she competed in the Steeplechase. She is currently training for the 2021 Olympic Trials.

She continued to learn and diversify as a coach upon her move to the East Coast. Stowe began working with local youth programs, and spearheaded the development of a high school running program in the Princeton, NJ area.

Rebeka currently works with runners of various backgrounds, ages and aspirations, both individually on VDOT O2 and as a coach with NIKE Running in New York City. You can learn more about her private coaching at: https://coaches.vdoto2.com/rebeka-stowe

Producer: Andre Laboy
Song: Breakadawn, by Mike Quinn

Heather Knight Pech

Conversation PaceBy V.O2Feb 10, 2021