Senior Barbara Hawes signed a letter of intent Wednesday, April 11, to bowl at Mount St. Mary’s University.

Hawes will be part of the Mountaineers inaugural NCAA Division 1 women’s bowling team, starting this fall in Emmitsburg, Md.

Hawes began bowling in middle school.

“I started bowling in leagues around seventh grade,” Hawes said.

Hawes believed bowling has impacted her life for the better.

“Bowling has helped me earn lifelong friends,” Hawes said. “It has helped me mature as a person, and now it’s helping me pursue my future goals as well.”

Mr. Robert Ploof, Hawes’ high school coach, believes Hawes has improved since she first began bowling.

“She was the most improved bowler on the team her junior and senior years,” Ploof said. “She was simply awesome the last two years.”

Ploof is proud of her accomplishments and knows she will continue to succeed past her high school bowling career at Mount St. Mary’s.

“Barb is just a great young lady, and I expect her to do great things to help build that program,” Ploof said. “I would not be at all surprised to see her lead the team next year.”

Hawes is looking forward to starting her new journey in Emmitsburg, which is almost 14 miles south of Gettysburg, Penn.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Hawes said. “It’s going to be the inaugural year and I think it’s going to be really cool to be a part of the start of their program next year.”

Hawes has also impacted her fellow teammate and friend junior Alexis Roof.

“I’m going to miss Barb a lot,” Roof said. “I think Barb not only helped me become who I am today, but also who I am as a bowler.”

Roof is thankful for the time she was able to spend with Hawes.

“We both helped one another grow,” Roof said. “No matter what mood we were in at the time, we were always laughing and having a good time. I am really going to miss her, and I hope that she finds great success in her college bowling career.”

Mr. Paul Gaudard, athletics director, believes Hawes’ hard work has helped shape the bowling program at KHS.

“She has been an integral part of our success in girls bowling,” Gaudard said. “Barb is a well-rounded young lady who had been involved in several KHS activities such as Student Council, NHS, (and) the student representative on the Board of Education.”

Gaudard has no doubt that Hawes will continue to succeed in her future.

“Barb has worked hard to earn this opportunity to bowl at the next level,” Gaudard said. “I look forward to following her continued success at Mount St. Mary.”