Maple Hill’s Kate Ackerman Named Scholastic Recipient of Capital District Sports Women of the Year Class of 2024 – Saratogian

Photo by Kate Ackerman, a senior at Maple Hill. (PROVIDED VIA CDSWOY)

ALBANY, NY — Maple Hill High School senior Kate Ackerman has been named one of 10 scholastic award winners for 2024 by the Capital District Sports Women of the Year organization.

Ackerman, who participates in bowling, cross country and softball, will be honored at the Capital District Sports Women of the Year Awards Gala on Monday, August 12 at 7 p.m. at the GE Theatre at Proctors in Schenectady.

Academically, Ackerman is an honor roll student, earning student-athlete recognition, ranking in the top 10 of her graduating class, and being on the principal’s list from grades 9 through 12.

Athletically, Ackerman has been a member of the Patroon Conference Bowling All-Star Team since seventh grade. For the past two seasons, she has been named the league’s Most Valuable Player and Maple Hill’s Most Valuable Bowler. Last season, Ackerman averaged 211, had a 300 high game, and had a 760 high series.

Ackerman earned a spot on the Section 2 Composite Team that went to the state tournament in March, becoming the first bowler in Maple Hill history to make it to the state tournament. At that tournament, she finished first on the girls composite team for a high run with a total of 1,487, earning her a first-place medal. She also averaged 248 pins over six games in the tournament, 37 pins above her average on the day. Her 1,487 total earned her a spot in the state record book and a third-place finish for a three-game run. Ackerman earned the Section 2 Sportsmanship Award at the tournament and helped the team to a third-place finish.

At the United States High School Bowling National Championship, held in June in Lancaster, Pa., Ackerman placed 37th with a seven-game average of 196. In June, Ackerman was selected to the 2023-24 All-USA TODAY HSSA Girls Bowling Team and has been nominated for National Girls Bowler of the Year. USA Today will announce the winner in August.

Ackerman’s community service includes working with the recycling club and donating to Maple Hill’s blood drives. She has donated books to various libraries and donated dresses and dress heels to Cinderella’s Closet. Ackerman also works for the Schodack Town Camp, where she helps children in the community, and she donates her time to the East Greenbush Bowling Center. Administrators and teachers at Maple Hill High School selected Ackerman to serve as a mentor to high school students who shadow her in high school to see what it’s like to be a successful student.

Kate is the fourth Maple Hill High School student-athlete to be selected by CDSWOY. Previous winners include Rachael Frazier (2023), Rebecca Hall (2022) and Jenna Hoffman (2021).

A total of 10 female high school students and three female student-athletes will be honored at the event on August 12. Tickets are available online at proctors.org or at the Proctors Box Office.

The next prize winner will be announced on July 17th.