If you were to pass her in the village of Clinton, one would assume that this petite woman, with her radiant disposition, is someone's wife or grandmother. What you might not expect is that Nadine Lowenstein is also the fastest woman in her age group (55-60 years old) in the world in the 400-meter, and equal to the fastest in the 200-meter distance recorded. This unassuming "lightning rod" has been in Hamilton College's midst for the past nine years. She has been coaching, training and most importantly supporting Hamilton student athletes.
A native of Belgium, Lowenstein has made Clinton her home for more than two decades with husband Dr. Robert Lowenstein and four children. She peaked as a Belgium national team member at age 19. For the next 25 years, she would not slip on her racing shoes until happening onto Hamilton College's outdoor track.
"When I knelt down and touched the track, I cried," said Lowenstein, an assistant track coach at Whitesboro High School. As a sprint coach, she was responsible for nearly 60 student-athletes. Not long after, she was recruited to assist with Hamilton's track and field team. She was 46 and wondered if she had the speed, but the "track bug" bit her, and the rest is still to be written.
Lowenstein has competed on every level, from grassroots to the indoor and outdoor Master World Championship. In March 2002, in Boston, she tied one American record (200m -- 30.00) and shattered an existing world record in the 400m at 66.00. Both times were competitive for a woman in the 40-45 age group.
Lowenstein is in prime condition and setting her sites on this year's World Master to be held March 28-30 in Boston.
