Jonathan Alder High School senior softball player Kylie King recently signed to continue her academic and athletic careers at Ohio Northern University. Pictured from left in the front row are her father Nathan, King and mother Monica; second row, JA assistant coaches Charlotte Palmer and Heather Colvin and King’s brother Drew and sister Paige; back row, Alder head coach Dave McGrew and assistant coaches Glen Widner and Tom Russell. (Photo submitted)
A senior member of the Jonathan Alder High School girls softball team has decided where she will play on the collegiate level.
Catcher Kylie King will continue her diamond and academic careers at Ohio Northern University.
King chose the Lady Polar Bears over Hillsdale, Ohio Dominican and Muskingum.
She will major in psychology.
“I chose Ohio Northern for three main reasons,” said King. “The psychology program will put me on an amazing career path, the school is giving me the opportunity to play my sport and it is just close enough to home.”
Ohio Northern is located in Ada, which is in northwest Hardin County. The university has approximately 2,144 students and is a member of NCAA Division III.
Polar Bear teams compete in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
King hit .385 and drove in 19 runs for the Lady Pioneers during the 2021 season.
The Lady Pioneers finished with an overall record of 22-4 and repeated as the Central Buckeye Conference Kenton Trail Division champion with a 15-1 record.
King’s goals for the future are to grow as both a student and athlete.
“The easiest goal to have is to be successful, but success is measured differently, depending on who you ask,” she said. “My personal goals are to fall further in love with my intended major and create the foundation for a steady career in the future.
“I also hope to make an impact on the softball team at ONU.”
King feels she will fare well on the next level.
“I am a perfectionist in most things I do,” she said. “Luckily that has served me well as I am an extremely hard worker.
“My school work is always done on time and my softball skills are always sharp, even in the off-season.
“I have an immense respect for the game and as a catcher, I command the field,” said King. “As the designated team leader, I hold my teammates accountable and push every single one of them to be better, both on and off the field.”
King said she has always had the goal of playing softball on the collegiate level.
She knows it’s a big jump from high school sports.
“I expect the transition from high school athlete to collegiate athlete will be a challenge at first,” said King. “However, I have faith that it will work itself out in time.
“Talking with the head coach (Jackie Price) at ONU, she predicts I am going to make an immediate impact on the team.
“I wouldn’t be myself if I said I didn’t agree with her.”