Pitt-Johnstown named Jim Bowser head women’s cross country coach prior to the start of the 2010 season. Bowser, a guidance counselor at Forest Hills High School, previously coached cross country at two local high schools.
Bowser coached cross country at Greater Johnstown Vo-Tech and Meyersdale Area High School and track at Forest Hills High School. Bowser was also a wrestling coach at Westmont Hilltop High School and is currently Forest Hills’ head wrestling coach.
In 2002, Bowser took over the Forest Hills wrestling program and has been named District 6 Coach of the Year three times. He has led the Rangers to three District 6 Dual Meet Championships and a pair of Southwest Regional Team titles. Bowser also coached Jake Strayer, a two-time PIAA AA State Champion, 20 District 6 Champions, and eight Regional Champions. In addition, he coached Pitt-Johnstown’s 2009 NCAA Division II National Champion Shane Valko.
Bowser is a graduate of Richland High School in Johnstown and a former wrestler at NCAA Division I Bloomsburg University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Adult Health. He later earned a pair of Masters Degrees from Frostburg State (MD) University. Bowser received a Masters of Education in Guidance and School Counseling and a Masters of Education in Health and Physical Education. Bowser is currently working on his Principal’s Certification at St. Francis (Pa.) University.
