Ansonia All-Star Billenstein Signs With Urbana Blue Knights
Inaugural Women’s Golf Off to a Good Start

ANSONIA, Ohio (April 26, 2005) – Ansonia’s Kendra Billenstein became the second member of the inaugural Urbana University women’s golf team when she signed her letter of intent today at Ansonia High School.

Billenstein, a three-sport standout at Ansonia, will be a part of Blue Knight lore, participating on the first women’s golf team in the 155-year history of the University.

“I like the fact that I get to be a pioneer,” said Billenstein. “I’m excited it’s close to home and the school has the major I’m interested in.”

Urbana University coach Jacque Howell is impressed with Billenstein as a golfer, as a student and as a person.

“Kendra has a great amount of confidence and self-discipline,” she said. “She is committed to making herself better and improving her game. She is the perfect example of what kind of student athlete I would like to bring to Urbana.”

Billenstein is a four-year letter winner in golf, including her senior season when she competed on the boys’ team. She is well-accomplished in the sport in which she was a three-time 1st Team All-Conference selection. She was named Ansonia’s Most Improved Golfer her freshman and sophomore years. She also was an esteemed Rae Burick Woman in Sports honoree her freshman and junior years. Billenstein flourished her junior season, winning the team’s Lowest Scoring Average award. She was twice named Ansonia High School Advocate Athlete of the Week and broke the school record for nine holes by shooting a 49. She was also honored with the Darke County YMCA Jr. Athlete Award.

Her senior year, in which she competed with the boys, she broke her own record, shooting a 45 on nine and also set the record for 18 holes with a 109, again garnering Ansonia High School Advocate Athlete of the Week honors.

Billenstein was also a 1st Team All-Conference performer in basketball and a regional qualifier in track and field. In addition to her athletic prowess, Billenstein is a success in the classroom. She was a named to the conference All-Academic Team all four year in each of her three sports.

The Urbana women’s golf team will begin competing in the fall of 2005 and Coach Howell sees no problem with her making the jump to the collegiate ranks.

“Kendra hits the ball long off the tee. She is working on her short game and taking lessons at the (Greenville) Country Club,” said Howell. “She will contribute from the get go.”

Kendra is the daughter of Jeff Billenstein of Ansonia, and Angie Westfall of Greenville. She intends to major in sports and leisure studies at Urbana University.

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