By Sport Nova Scotia Communications
For Bowen Taylor throwing heavy things runs in the family.
The 14-year-old from Chaswood, near Middle Musquodoboit, is a thrower with the Truro Lions Track and Field Club. But his introduction to the sport started in his backyard.
After finishing the school basketball season Bowen mentioned to his dad that the track and field season would be next. With a discus borrowed from his school and an old shot put that had belonged to his aunt, Bowen’s dad started teaching him both disciplines. His father competed at the national level for track and field.
“I gave it a go and fell in love with it,” says Bowen. “My dad automatically gave me some pointers; we started throwing in the backyard off a piece of plywood.”
Finding it complicated at first, Bowen says his dad broke everything down really well, starting with the basic movements and working their way up to the proper steps and throwing techniques.
This was ahead of the Grade 7 high school track and field districts and since then he has been dedicated to the sport, joining the Truro Lions during the 2025 indoor season. Even then, his backyard lessons were appreciated by his coaches.
“Bowen came with a strong technical background and great work ethic from his father and continued to build on his excellent foundation over the course of the winter,” says Truro Lions throw coach Drew Erskine. “He shows a love for all things track and field that is infectious to those who are around him on a daily basis.”
Since starting the sport almost two years ago Bowen has already broken shot put records including an Athletics Nova Scotia (ANS) Indoor Track and Field Record in December of last year. It was at the Truro Lions/ANS Last Chance Throws Meet where Bowen threw 16.7 metres while competing in the U16 division. Then he beat his own record in January by throwing 17.12 metres. This throw, as of May 28, ranks him number one in Canada for indoor U16 men’s shot put (4kg).
“Breaking the indoor record was very awesome. It was one of the first meets we had been to since the outdoor season and I wasn’t really expecting to throw over 17 metres. I was hoping to, but everything ended up clicking and I threw a big throw,” says Bowen.
In March, Bowen won the U16 shot put gold at the 2026 Athletics Canada Indoor Nationals in Ontario. Drew says Bowen is just scratching the surface of what he is capable of doing in the sport.
“He understood that to have a shot at a national medal he would need to learn and train harder than he had in the past. He came with that goal on his mind every single day and to see him achieve one of his goals was a proud moment for him, his family and the club. Everyone is looking forward to watching him compete during the outdoor season this year.”
As for the future, Bowen is looking far ahead with his eye on going to the Olympics one day.
