Local 12-31-21Jessica Munro signs with Howard CollegeBy Don EskinsCavegirl senior Jessica Munro recently signed a letter of intent to play collegiate softball with the Howard College Hawks. Howard College, a junior college that competes athletically in the NJCAA's Region 5, is located in Big Springs, Texas. During 2020-21 the Hawks posted a 37-5 overall record and were 27-3 in conference play.Munro said she's looking forward to competing on the collegiate level as a member of the Hawks softball team."I really liked coach Kelly Raines when I visited the campus this summer," said Munro. "She seemed like a very nice person, has put together a great team and the softball facilities there are very good. I think I'm going to enjoy playing for the Hawks a lot."While Munro said that she liked her visit at Howard College, it was the softball program that really sold her on the idea of attending school there."Yeah, it really came down to softball and what they could offer me to play there," she said. "Coach Raines settled all of that though by offering me a really good scholarship. It was a scholarship that I couldn't pass up, so I accepted it right away." Having already signed her letter of intent, to play collegiately next year, has given Munro a degree of relief as she heads into her final season as a Cavegirl."Because of Covid finding spots to play collegiately, for athletes graduating in 2022, has been really tough," she said. "So having already signed with Howard College has been a big relief for me. Now I can just go out and enjoy playing for the Cavegirls this spring."Munro, who has been a starter for the Cavegirls since her freshman year, played center-field last season for the New Mexico Class 5A state runner-up Cavegirls. She hit a rousing .475."I was happy to hear that Jessica had signed her letter of intent to play collegiately with Howard College," said former Cavegirl head coach John Tigert. "She's been a starter for us since her freshman year. As a matter of fact she was District 5A's Freshman of Year in 2019. Last year, as a junnior and one of our team captains, she earned All-District honors.""Jesssica was also one of the Cavegirl soccer team's top players," said the former Cavegirl
pilot. "She's just a great all-around athlete. I'd say Howard College got a good one."Presently Munro is undecided on a major at Howard College and will work primarily on attaining her Associate Degree.Update: Since having committed to Howard College coach Kelly Raines has resigned her post as head coach for the Lady Hawks. Presently the program is under the direction of interim head coach Ashley Lopez, former assistant to Raines.