By Skylar Litton
Big 12 Campus Correspondent
Colby Lowe has been running competitively since he was in the seventh grade. When it came down to deciding on a college, it wasn't hard for him to choose Oklahoma State.
"OSU had the best stuff that I wanted and was looking for," Lowe said. "Not only academics but sports-wise, too. Every other (school) visit I went on, I kept coming back to OSU."
Lowe's parents both attended OSU, and the native of Southlake, Texas, liked the feel of a supportive, small college town.
The sophomore already has a long list of accomplishments but is far from achieving all of his career goals.
Oklahoma State coaches planned to redshirt Lowe last year but he proved he could perform at a high level as a freshman. After finishing in seventh place at the Cowboy Jamboree, coach Dave Smith burned the redshirt.
"I wanted to run because I'm getting experience being in those big races," said Lowe, who a week ago was named Big 12 men's cross country runner of the week. "It's not something totally new because I've been in that situation before. Coach Smith and the guys can count on you because you've been in that situation."
Lowe made the most of his coach's decision last year as he helped lead the Cowboys to their first-ever Big 12 Cross Country Championship. He hopes for a repeat with the Cowboys heading to the Big 12 championships this Saturday at Missouri in Columbia, Mo.
"We are going to go out there and represent OSU well and run hard and hopefully go out there and win and bring some pride back to OSU," Lowe said.
Lowe's goal this year has been to improve in each race. He said the coaching staff and his teammates play a big role in helping him achieve those goals.
Being a member of an athletic team can either bring together teammates or set them apart. Lowe said the Cowboys have chemistry that inspires maximum effort.
"When it comes down to getting work done, we get it done but we have fun too," Lowe said. "You can't find that kind of chemistry anywhere else."
Lowe welcomes the pressure of competing on one of the nation's top cross country teams.
"A lot of people say they don't like the pressure, we like the pressure, we want that," Lowe said. "The guys understand what it means to be good and do well in everything that OSU stands for.
"Here and there, there might be some pressure, but they know what needs to be done. Everyone knows what we're all set out to do. We like that pressure, we like to be able to go out and run hard. It's nice that everyone brings the best they've got, What fun would it be if everyone just went out there and ran easy?"
Lowe's parents and grandparents have also played a huge role in his running. They have never missed a race in high school or college and have attended each of his OSU races.
"The guys on the team, we all run for each other, we all want to succeed and do well," Lowe said. "We're not going to let each other down, we're not going to fail, and if we're going to fail, we're going to fail as a team."