A trio of Hays Hawks softball players on Nov. 19 put pen to paper and signed on to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level. In front of family, friends, administrators, teammates and coaches, Hays Hawks (left to right) catcher Megan Kelnar, pitcher Katie Noble and infielder Emily Palacio each signed with her school of choice. Also on hand for the signing was Hays Hawks head softball coach Lisa Cone and the Hawks softball coaching staff. 

Heading into their senior seasons this spring, the trio has been an integral part of a Hays softball program that has gone 47-14 so far during their tenure and has reached the postseason in consecutive seasons (excluding the shortened 2020 season) 

Palacio signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Galveston College in Galveston. Galveston College is a Division I school in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and competes in Region 14. 

Noble signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. UIU is a Division II university that competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. 

Kelnar signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Texas State University in San Marcos. Texas State, a Division I school that competes in the Sun Belt Conference, finished the 2021 season with a 39-14 mark and reached the NCAA Division I postseason.