Sykes signs to play for NWSCC

By Staff
Rebecca James, Franklin County Times
Russellville softball standout Kara Blaine Sykes has signed a full scholarship to play softball at Northwest Shoals Community College.
Sykes signed the letter yesterday.
"We're really excited that Kara is coming," said Northwest Shoals softball coach Gynger Williams. "We can't wait to have her on the team."
Sykes has been a starter for the Golden Tigers since her freshman year and began playing softball as a young child.
"I started playing tee ball when I was 7 years old," Sykes said. "I've been playing ever since."
Coach Ted Ikerd couldn't be any more proud of Sykes, who has been a starter for him since the ninth grade.
"I'm thrilled to death for Kara," said Ikerd. "This is what you want for your players when they start."
"She's had a really great season. I told her from the beginning that it would come to this, and she took it and ran with it."
Scouts from Northwest originally approached Sykes earlier this month.
"They came to talk to me at the Athens game," Sykes said. "They called me later on, and offered me a scholarship."
"I'm really excited. What I want to do more than anything is play softball."
Sykes plans on majoring in marine biology. She is the daughter of Derrik and Liz Sykes, of Russellville, and is the granddaughter of Willie Lou Sykes, of Belgreen, and Daisy Hockney, of Russellville.