Former Rochelle student-athlete Katie Dummer will be more motivated than ever to complete her Kishwaukee College education after making history this past weekend, becoming the first player to sign with the school’s women’s bowling program debuting for the 2020-21 year.

Kishwaukee College announced the introduction of three new athletic programs this past fall including men’s and women’s bowling, men’s and women’s golf and eSports. Dummer, who currently studies criminal justice at the college, signed her National Letter of Intent with the Lady Kougars and head coach Ranzy Collins over the weekend. The Lady Hub bowling standout said she’s excited to join the new program and meet her new teammates.

“I’m looking forward to a new adventure,” Dummer said. “I’m looking forward to seeing who I’ll be bowling with. I’m already there as a student, and this gives me more motivation to finish my degree… I’m looking into forensics and detective work, so I thought it made sense to study criminal justice and see where that path takes me.”

Dummer enjoyed an excellent four-year bowling career with Rochelle, qualifying for sectionals three times and reaching the IHSA State Championship her senior season. She currently coaches the Lady Hubs as an assistant alongside head coach Joey Johanning, who she bowls with during the Thursday Night Classic League at T-Byrd Lanes.

Dummer also works with local youth league bowlers in Rochelle, and she said the perspective she’s gained from coaching has given her a new insight into the sport.

“Coaching has been great,” Dummer said. “Joey’s been a key person in my bowling career and he’s a friend in life. We see each other when we bowl on Thursdays and we mess with each other a lot… He’s made a very big impact on my life, both personally and in bowling, and it’s been a great time coaching with him… Having a coach’s mentality has shown me how the sport can be frustrating, but it’s also helped my mental game a lot.”

Dummer had originally committed to bowling at Highland Community College after high school, but a busy work and school schedule prompted her to leave the program and transfer to Kishwaukee College for academics. Armed with a second chance to compete collegiately, Dummer is aiming to make the most of her new opportunity with the Lady Kougars.

“I’m looking forward to a whole new atmosphere and having a whole different mindset,” Dummer said. “I think bowling at Kishwaukee College will be good for me.”