WINONA — Pat Bowlin wasn't exactly anticipating his 500th win coaching high school girls basketball.
"The only reason I know my win total is the media asks for it, you know," said Bowlin, who joined rare company with Cotter's easy 53-31 win over visiting Fillmore Central on Friday night. Cotter improved to 8-3.
Bowlin, 53, isjust the 14th girls basketball coach to reach the 500 win plateau, in his 30th season. He also has over 600 career wins as a high school softball coach.
"500is special number in baskeball," he conceded. "I feel great about it because, we had really nice crowd tonight and a lot of former players were at the game, and to have former players come back and celebrate with me is really special."
Bowlin began his teaching and coaching career at the former St. Bernard's High School in St. Paul. He coached softball and girls basketball at St. Bernard's for eight years, and has been at Cotter for 22 years, where is now the principal.
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New London-Spicer coach Mike Dreier tops the girls basketball coaching wins list with 798, after his Wildcats lost on Friday to Holy Family Catholic. Lourdes head coach Myron Glass, with 712, is the only other coach with over 700.
