WILMINGTON, Ohio - Throughout the coming months, the Wilmington College athletics department will be highlighting senior student-athletes who had their senior seasons cut short due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Today's senior salute is KenDahl Bowles. A four-year member of the program, Bowles finished her career with a .267 batting average including hitting a .367 clip this season. She drove in 47 career runs and drew 26 walks. An Honorable Mention All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) honoree last season, perhaps Bowles' greatest strength was her defensive prowess at third base. She tallied 153 career putouts with 172 assists.
What is your major? - Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology
What is your favorite class at Wilmington College? - Criminal Law and Investigation or Abnormal Psychology
What is your favorite memory with the softball program? - The memories are collective. I have been fortunate enough to experience countless amazing times with the teammates, coaches and our "everybody's" over my past four years that I will forever treasure and remember. I have had the time of my life being apart of the wolfpack and am thankful for every memory and person it has blessed me with.
What are your plans after graduation? - To be the best patrol officer I can be. When I am ready, I would like to branch out in the police department if other opportunities are presented.
Do you see yourself returning to Wilmington to compete in 2021? - As much as I desire to keep playing the sport I love with the best coaches and teammates, I do not see myself competing in 2021 for hopefully the next chapter of my life will already be started.
What is your message to underclassmen on the impact of COVID-19? - I am truly blessed to have something in my life that makes saying goodbye so sad. Softball is more than a sport it is a dedication that provided the opportunity to be pave the way for success. Fight adversity, become a leader and meet so many new people who will forever be apart of your life. I knew that the day would come where I would have to hang up my cleats for good and start the next chapter of my life just not this soon or unexpected. Us athletes have been asked to sacrifice our passion for the game to potentially help others of the compromised population. That's what teammates do. They make sacrifices to ensure the bigger team thrives. That's what Wilmington softball has thought me to always put the team first. It has also allowed me to cross paths with so many great people that I will forever remember and be grateful for. Coach Floyd always said you will never remember how many games you played in or what errors you might have made, but you will always remember if you did everything you could to be the best that you could be. Never take anything for granted and always give it your all because the last time that I played and shared the field with such great and amazing people, I didn't know it would be my last. Once apart of the wolfpack, always apart of the wolfpack.