NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three of the nation’s top junior bowlers, including the program’s first signees from Kentucky and Tennessee, will enroll at Vanderbilt University in 2021, Vanderbilt head coach John Williamson announced Wednesday.
Kailee Channell of Morris Chapel, Kaylee Hitt of Cold Spring, Kentucky, and Paige Peters of Toms River, New Jersey, have chosen Vanderbilt and will form the program’s freshman class for the 2021-22 season.
“We have followed these young women for several years and are delighted they chose to attend our university,” Williamson said. “They have all the ingredients for success on our campus – strong academic backgrounds, high motivation and excellent bowling resumes.
“They have all been among the best junior bowlers in the country for several years and it’s interesting that we will finally have Kentucky and Tennessee natives on our roster after 17 years. All three were recruited by other quality bowling programs.”
Channell ranks sixth in her Hardin County High School class of 231 and led her team to three Tennessee state championships. She was a two-time state Miss Bowling winner and won the state’s individual championship her senior season.
Channell was also a force on the national front placing in the top 10 at the Junior Gold twice. She was the runner-up individually at the United States High School national championship as a sophomore and is a member of the National Honor Society, the English Honorarium and the school’s student council for four years.
Channell also contributed many hours of community service throughout her high school years. Her sister Ashley Channell bowled for Louisiana Tech.
So proud of you @kaileechannell pic.twitter.com/nB5CLPkJA8
— David Channell (@reddogjr68) April 4, 2021
Hitt is also a strong student, accumulating a weighted 5.2 GPA at Campbell County High School in Kentucky. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the BETA Honor Society, the Economics Club, an AP Scholar and was named the 2021 Kentucky High School Female Student-Athlete of the Year. She tallied more than 100 hours of community service.
On the lanes, Hitt has a long list of accomplishments – among them being an eight-time Kentucky Youth Bowlers Tour champion (the most titles by an individual) and had several high finishes at the Junior Gold, including seventh in 2018.
Hitt was the 2019 Junior Master Champion, the 2020 Cincinnati Enquirer Bowler of the Year and the 2021 Kentucky Pepsi Champion. She was a four-year high school team captain, leading the team to the 2020 state title.
Congratulations to the 2021 Midway University/KHSAA Bowling Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Kaylee Hitt (Campbell County)
@MidwayUniv@CCSchoo1s#khsbw pic.twitter.com/s9zXJtr0kK— KHSAA Events (@khsaaevents) March 4, 2021
Peters has been dominant on the New Jersey and national scene for years. A two-time Junior Team USA member, Peters won the Parker Bohn III Singles Championship and the PBA Junior Regional Championship in 2020 in addition to being a semi-finalist at the United States Amateur.
Peters was a three-time, top-20 finisher at the Junior Gold and won the U20 Youth Open title in 2019 along with the U12 doubles in 2014. She also carried her Toms River High School team to three New Jersey state championships while earning first-team all-state honors in each of those seasons.
Peters won the 2018-19 New Jersey individual championship and was named the Asbury Park Press Bowler of the Year in 2018-19.
Congratulations to Henry Hecht (Howell) and Paige Peters (Toms River North) on their #ShoreConferenceNJ Individual Bowling Championships!!!
🏆🎳🥇@HowellRebellion @BravermanHHS @wearetrschools pic.twitter.com/ZIUd32GysM— Shore Conference (@ShoreSports_NJ) March 3, 2021
