By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
Kristy Barker, a multi-sport star at Priceville, is taking her athletic prowess south after signing a partial volleyball and partial academic scholarship with the University of Mobile.
Barker, who was recently named the Enquirer's 2005 All-Area girls track athlete of the year and was a member of Priceville's girls basketball team, participated in three sports while at Priceville but has decided to focus on volleyball as she moves into her collegiate career.
"Now as my high school career has come to a close I look forward to new and challenging adventures," she said. "I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities over the course of my life so far and I can't wait to see what awaits me in this next chapter of my life."
Barker joins a Rams team that will be participating in its first season of volleyball. The Rams will be coached by Jon Campbell and will participate in the National Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Campbell is excited about adding Barker to the Rams' inaugural team.
"I think that she'll bring an all-around athletic ability to the team," he said. "She's got a great vertical leap and I think we'll be able to use her in a variety of positions. When you're starting a new program it's important to have good athletes, and Kristy has very good athletic ability."
Barker had a successful year in all her sports her senior season at Price-ville.
She was named to the All-County team and All-Area teams in volleyball, in addition to being named to the All-Tournament team in all four tournaments in which Priceville participated.
In basketball, Barker was named to the All-Area and All-County teams while helping the Bulldogs reach the regional semifinals and finishing in the Elite Eight of Class 2A.
She was equally successful at track, taking home gold medals at the state meet in both the javelin, where she bettered her state record from the previous year, and in the long jump.
In addition to her athletic ability, Barker was also an accomplished student and citizen.
This spring, she graduated from Priceville with honors and a weighted 4.19 grade point average.
She was a member of the National Honor Society for three years and was given the All-State Academic Award in the summer of 2004.
Barker has been involved in community service through her high school career, participating in such groups as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Junior Civitan Club and Score International.
The fact that Barker is a well-rounded student-athlete has already impressed her new coach.
"I was really impressed by how well-rounded a student Kristy is," Campbell said. "That kind of student-athlete will fit really well into the kind of program that we have here."
Barker looks forward to joining Campbell and the Rams.
"It will be hard work, but I have no doubt that the college experience I receive will be more than worth it," she said.