Two Springdale High School student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent Nov. 8 to compete at the collegiate level at a National Signing Day event at the school.
Elijah Cousins
Elijah Cousins committed to bowl for Ottawa University.
“I started bowling at the age of 4 and have never stopped,” Cousins said. “I remember as a kid growing up in the bowling alley watching my mom, dad and brother bowl in a league.”
Cousins has a 3.1 GPA and works at Marco’s Pizza part time.
The senior is a fourth-year starter for the Springdale High School varsity bowling team.
He has bowled three 300 games, has a high series of 815, had an average of 219 three years in a row, holds the school’s record for a high series of 720 in conference, finished first in the 2002 6A conference, placed second in the 2023 6A conference, was the 2022 Northwest Arkansas High School Bowler of the Year, is a two-year United States Bowling Conference All Star for Arkansas, is a three-time Arkansas Scratch Classic winner, is a two-time state All Event Scratch winner, has qualified for the Junior Gold Tournament four times and held the highest average for the 2022-23 season at the Springdale Bowling Center.
“I’m always working on getting better, whether it’s practicing or studying lane conditions and types of new bowling balls,” Cousins said.
Cousins plans on studying engineering in college.
If the student-athlete isn’t at a tournament or practicing, he’s home watching sports with his family or hanging out with friends.
He said competition and the friends he’s made throughout 13 years of bowling are what he enjoys most about the sport.
“Bowling provides opportunities to travel and has provided me with college scholarships,” Cousins said. ‘Bowling truly is a great sport.”
Kaylee Harp
Kaylee Harp committed to play softball at Central Baptist College in Conway.
“I love the competition, the bond with my teammates and coaches, encouraging others, the way I feel when I step on the field and working to get better,” Harp said of playing softball.
Harp has played softball since she was 8 and said she still enjoys every moment of the sport.
“I am a true corners player and feel right at home in just about any position on the field, but third base has won my heart,” Harp said.
Harp has a 3.8 GPA and works at Sonic part time.
The senior is a three-year varsity third base starter for Springdale High School and a starter for the Legends 18U travel team.
“I am always working hard on getting more aggressive on the field and behind the plate and at being the best player and teammate I can be,” Harp said.
The student-athlete enjoys spending her free time with friends and family, watching movies, loving on her pets and eating Mexican food.