photo by: Andrew Grimm

Steubenville placekicker Cole Bowers, also a soccer star for the Big Red, signed with the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. to kick for Army Black Knights.

STEUBENVILLE – When a high school senior athlete is looking at colleges and universities to continue their collegiate career at – both academically and athletically – they want those schools to be up front and honest with them.

That feeling went a long way in Steubenville High School placekicker Cole Bowers deciding to attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

“I wanted to get signed before the season so it took a lot of pressure off of me. Lots of phone calls and mail every day. You never know what is true, that’s what I loved about Army. They were truthful and honest with me.”

The strong-legged Bowers had plenty of NCAA Division I offers before deciding on Army.

“I had a private workout at Ohio State and I also visited Coastal Carolina, Akron, Michigan State and Penn State,” Bowers said.

“When they called the school, it was kind of surreal,” Cole’s father, Greg, who is also his soccer coach, said. “I feel comfortable with the coaching staff up there and the kind of young man they are going to make him become.

“His mom and I couldn’t be any prouder of him from the time he’s put in class to the time he has put in extracurriculars and through community service.”

The Black Knights compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the American Conference. The Black Knights play home games in Michie Stadium with a capacity of 36,000 on the Academy grounds in West Point. They are coached by Jeff Monken, who has held the position since 2014.

“I’ve been kicking since the 7th grade. I knew this was my way to earning a (college football) scholarship,” he said. “I visited the campus over the summer and fell in love with it. The guys were great. The coaches were great. It’s going to set me up for life, and I’m ready for that opportunity.”

When asked what his range is, he didn’t hesitate.

“Anywhere from 58 yards and in.”

He has kicked six career field goals for Big Red, three as a freshman and three as a junior.

“I’ll need to be more consistent in my ball-striking,” he said when asked what he needs to work on in making the adjustment. “The uprights get tighter. The hash marks get tighter. I’ve got the pop, though.”

Depending on Steubenville’s season, Cole Bowers could end up in the Top 5 in career extra points in the state of Ohio history.

Also a standout on the soccer pitch, Bowers tied the Steubenville boys’ program record for career goals with one in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw at St. Clairsville. He is now deadlocked with Matt Loot at 74.

“Soccer teaches me to stay calm throughout the game,” Cole Bowers added. “It also allows me to play in big moments. I love playing soccer. I would never give up soccer and quit on my dad.”

Bowers said he plans to major in Bio-Chemistry with hopes of being an Orthopaedic surgeon in future.