Carpenter commits to College of Wooster
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield High School senior golfer Kaci Carpenter signed a letter-of-intent to continue her athletic career at the College of Wooster as a future member of the Fighting Scots women’s golf team May 16. A signing ceremony took place in the high school’s athletic foyer, with Carpenter surrounded by family, friends, classmates, faculty, staff, Diane McCall, CHS girls golf coach and Greg Cooper, CHS athletic director.
“Welcome and thank you for coming to support Kaci and our very successful girls golf program. Kaci, this is your day. From Canfield, you will move on and we know you have what it takes to be successful at Wooster as you continue your athletic career as a member of the Fighting Scots,” Cooper said.
Cooper then introduced McCall to say a few words about Carpenter.
“This is a very special time for Kaci, and her parents as well. I met Kaci when she was in sixth-grade and now she is graduating to play at a collegiate level. Our girls golf program has had 22 out of 67 graduate to play at the collegiate level. I am so proud of Kaci and she has done such a great job. She is actually the first player in Canfield to achieve a hole-in-one. It was on hole number three at Diamond Back Golf Course on Aug. 22, 2014. I even got to see it go in the hole. Kaci is a delightful young lady, as is her family. Kaci had lots of colleges after her, and Wooster won,” McCall said.
Cooper then gave Carpenter the floor.
“Thank you all for coming. It means a lot to me. When I visited Wooster, at the entrance of the college is an arch and the Wooster band was playing, welcoming visitors. It was then that I knew I could see myself there. And now I know all my hard work is going to pay off as I get to go to my dream college and play golf and go to school. I would like to thank my parents for all their guidance and setting me on my path of life. Thank you,” Carpenter said.
During her scholastic golfing career, Carpenter earned three varsity letters, was a member of the Lady Cardinals’ 2013 state tournament-qualifying team and recorded the program’s first ever hole-in-one.
Additionally, she earned first team All-American Conference honors as well as All-Northeastern Ohio District Honorable Mention recognition following her senior season. During her three-year varsity career at Canfield, her contributions helped her team achieve a 40-16 record in head-to-head in matches.
Equally impressive as well in non-scholastic golf events, Carpenter was twice a U.S. Kids Canton Tour Player of the Year and a four time Greatest Golfer of the Valley finalist who finished as runner-up in 2013 while competing in the 12-14 year old division.
Carpenter said her love of golf started at a young age.
“I started going golfing with my dad when I was 8. He introduced me to the game and we formed a bond over golf and we still have that bond. I would putt, chip and drive the cart. I never thought I would end up here. Wooster is my dream college,” Carpenter said.
Off the links, Carpenter was a two-time state tournament competitor in speech and debate, earning two varsity letters and in choir, earning one varsity letter.
While at Wooster, Carpenter plans on majoring in Business Economics. She is the daughter of Scott and Alice Carpenter.