Co-Director

Travis Gower

Coach Gower has been a part of the Smoky Mountain Running Camp since 1993 when he was first a camper.  Since that time he has been a camper, JCIT, JC, Staff Coach and is now co-director of the camp.  Coach Gower has even convinced his wife, Mandy Ryan, to help him coach cross country and to attend camp as a staff coach as well. 

Before becoming a coach, Coach Gower was a cross country and track athlete for both McEachern High School and the University of Georgia.  His father, Lee Gower, is also a hall-of-fame coach who worked at Walton, McEachern, Auburn University, and of course, the Smoky Mountain Running Camp. 

Coach Gower teaches World and U.S. History at Walton and is still active in running and triathlon today.  He has competed in the Houston Marathon, Boston Marathon, and completed a Half-Ironman so far in his career.  He and his wife currently live in Atlanta, Georgia.