Wright signs letter of intent with Thomas More

By Sam McClanahan 

Pendleton County senior Katie Wright knew one day she would be a college athlete but the path she would take in getting there is one that she never saw coming.

On December 13, Wright would be surrounded by a slew of family and friends as she signed her letter-of-intent to continue her academic and athletic career at Thomas More University in Crestview Hills. Wright says that she has had her mind and heart set on Thomas More for the last few years but it was everything else about her path there that would change leading up to her senior year.

“I always thought that I’d end up going there as a basketball player,” Wright admits. “If you have told me when I was a freshman that I would be signing there to play golf I would’ve never believed you,” she added.

Wright’s original vision included her running up and down the hardwood while swishing baskets and playing good defense, but fate would have other ideas. At the persistent request from her cousin and best friend, Reese Barlow, the two would become teammates for the Pendleton County Ladycats Golf program and a new path would be set into motion. The love for a new sport was born and over the next few years Wright would sharpen her skills and become one of the top performers in the area. What started out as something fun quickly turned into a passion.

“I set up a place inside our family barn where I could practice all the time. I’m a competitive person so once I began to focus in on golf I wanted to commit everything I could to it.,” she explained.

Wright says the decision to attend Thomas More is gives her the best of both worlds. It's close enough to a her home in Pendleton County that she can visit often but it's also far enough away that it can allow her to have some independence as she soon begins the journey into adulthood. 

"Thomas More has a beautiful campus and I like the fact that I'll be competing on the Division-II level. It's also close to where I work and I intend on advancing to the role of assistant general manager at the Kenton County Golf Course in the future."

Although the game of golf can be viewed as a very independent activity that pits individual versus Course, Wright acknowledges that her journey wouldn't have reached this milestone without the help and support of her inner circle.

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the constant support of my parents, Reese, Kim Barlow, my Uncle Mark and everyone one who pushed me to reach for my dreams."

Wright plans to major in Sports Entertainment/Marketing and would like to ultimately have a career in management.