Kansas school was one of two on Kenneth’s list

When the decision to leave home for college and collegiate sports arises, not everybody settles into the right choice. Such a decision can be nerve-racking.

But Crownpoint High School’s Kitana Kenneth made the right college choice on May 26. Kenneth — who played volleyball, basketball, and ran track and field for the Lady Eagles — took Haskell Indian Nations University up on its scholarship offer.

“I am very happy with my selection,” Kenneth said. “I took my time in making the decision. I’m going to be meeting new people and playing volleyball at a whole different level.”

Sheri Moore, athletic director at Crownpoint, called Kenneth a very good student. She said “Kit” was an outside hitter and defensive specialist on the volleyball team. In track, Kenneth threw the shot put and javelin and ran the 100-meter relay and long jump. Kenneth was a post player in basketball and played at least one sport each of her four years at Crownpoint High, Moore noted.

The Lady Eagles finished the year last season with a 7 - 13 record in volleyball, Moore said. Donna Aguilar, a school guidance counselor who coached the Lady Eagles last season, and just for one season, left Crownpoint, Moore noted.

Kenneth, 18, said she’s not exactly sure what position she’ll play on the volleyball team for the Lady Fighting Indians, saying that’s up to the coaches when she gets there in the fall.

“I think I can play a lot of positions,” Kenneth said. “But it’s something that I’ll have to see when I get there. Wherever I play, I am going to do the best to help my team.”

The University of Maine was a school that was high on the list for Kenneth in terms of sports and academics, the graduate said. Kenneth said she played softball when she was a student at Crownpoint Middle School, but didn’t play in high school because the Eagles don’t have a softball team.

“I played pitcher, first base, third base, and catcher when I played softball,” she said.

Haskell Indian Nations University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, competing as an independent in all sports. The school competed in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference prior to July 2015. The school offers basketball, track and field, and softball for women, but Kenneth said she’ll think about going out for other sports upon arrival.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent