Colony hurler inks letter of intent

For the last three seasons, Colony High School has built a competitive girls' fastpitch softball squad, earning trips to the state tournament in each of the last two seasons. A key component of the Knights' success during that span was starting pitcher Katie Rowell.

After completing a successful prep career with the Knights earlier this month, Rowell is looking forward to her college career. The recent graduate of CHS has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Middle Georgia College women's softball squad.

Rowell listed Andrew College, Burton Parker and North Georgia as other schools considered, but ultimately chose Middle Georgia, a two-year institution. Rowell said she favored a two-year school, over a four-year college, for reasons related to athletics and academics. The two-year school, Rowell said, allows her to receive playing time almost immediately and fits her academic needs. Rowell said the college possesses the academic programs that will help prepare her for a career in engineering.

Rowell said the small-town lifestyle and atmosphere of Cochran, Ga., and the MGC campus was a lure itself. A native a Georgia, Rowell said she also has family in the surrounding area.

The Middle Georgia College Warriors will begin just their seventh season as a varsity softball squad when Rowell joins the squad. The team has been enjoying steady improvement since the hire of head coach Ken Phillips -- a 12-year veteran in the Division I coaching ranks.

Rowell was the Knights' ace on the pitchers mound for the last three seasons.

"The role that my team has played over the past four years has been essential to my success now," Rowell said. "I never would have gotten this far without their support and the outstanding coaching of Mike Stewart. His impact on my life has been monumental."

She helped lead Colony to its first win in state tournament play in 2003 and a pair of victories in the 2004 state tourney. Rowell also played first base during her tenure with the Knights, but she said her position of choice for her college career is on the mound.

During high school Rowell also had the opportunity to compete in several camps. Rowell attended a camp at Florida State University and a Alaska Softball Association camp which featured a pair of Olympic athletes.

"They were very essential to me," Rowell said. "I needed to have that kind of coaching."