Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Adams signs four for 2023-24
11/16/2022 10:30:00 AM | Women's Golf
Blue Raider women’s golf bringing in four true freshmen
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee women's golf has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the team for the 2023-24 season. Jillian Bowman, Sophia DiPaolo, Nicole Johnson and Ella Manley will join the Blue Raiders as true freshmen in the fall of 2023.
"We are super excited about these four young ladies joining our program," head coach Chris Adams said. "They all come from very supportive families, and we are lucky to have such an accomplished class coming in. They will bring added depth to a strong foundation we already have."
Bowman brings a scoring average of 73.5 from Lipscomb Academy to Murfreesboro. A two-time runner-up in the state tournament, the Franklin, Tenn., native also claimed a 2022 Division 2-AA individual regional title.
"Jillian has worked tirelessly on her golf game the past couple of years, and it has shown in a lot of success in tournaments," Adams said. "She is strong and hits the ball far and her dedication will be a huge asset to the team. We are glad she stayed close to home and joined the Blue Raiders."
On the amateur circuit, Bowman has made the cut in the Tennessee Women's Open and is a two-time Sneds Tour champion. Her brother, Jake, is a long snapper on the Western Kentucky football team.
Can't wait to get Jillian Bowman to Murfreesboro!#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/xTr6yFdG0l
— MT Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) November 10, 2022
Another Franklin native, Sophia DiPaolo comes to MTSU from Franklin High School. She is a two-time Gateway Tire Athlete of the Week, a two-time WillCo Girls Golfer of the Year, a three-time Tennesseean All-Mid State selection, a three-time finalist for Middle Tennessee Sports Award Golfer of the Year and a member of the 2020 Junior Cup Team.
"I have had many opportunities to watch and get to know Sophia on the course and love to watch her compete," Adams said. "She has had lots of success already at all levels of competition. Her athleticism, determination and love for the game were very evident in the recruiting process and will make her have an immediate impact."
In addition to her many accolades, DiPaolo has won three district championships and three region championships. She won the 2021 state title to go along with fourth- and sixth-place state tournament finishes.
Excited to have Sophia DiPaolo joining us next fall!#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/nA7ROXfp85
— MT Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) November 11, 2022
Johnson joins the Blue Raiders out of Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill. The 2022 Class AA state champion, Johnson has 22 high school tournament victories to her name, including two sectional titles and a regional championship and recorded a 70.3 scoring average in 2022. She is a four-time Southwest Conference medalist and three-time Madison County medalist in addition to a 12th-place finish at the 2021 state tournament.
"We are really glad that Nicole has chosen to be a Blue Raider," Adams said. "She has had a very strong high school career in Illinois and in junior amateur events. She comes from a very athletic family and will work extremely hard. When I watch her play, I am impressed with her ball striking and course management, both of which will prove valuable here at MTSU."
In amateur golf, Johnson has qualified for the 2022 Girls Junior PGA Championship, been a quarterfinalist in the Illinois State Women's Amateur and a medalist at the Golfweek Indiana Junior Open.
Johnson comes from an athletic family. Her mother, Kriste, played basketball at Murray State, while her father, Tony, played golf and tennis at SIUE. Her grandfather, Roger Haberer, played football at Eastern Illinois and was a Big Ten official.
Help us welcome Nicole Johnson to the family!#BlueRaiders | #BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/5umyWdyQt1
— MT Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) November 10, 2022
Manley comes to Murfreesboro from Calhoun High School in Calhuon, Ga. A two-time 5A state champion, she also claims five regular season tournament titles at the high school level. Manley set a course record of 66 at the Fields Ferry Invitational.
"I have enjoyed watching Ella play, and she is such a competitor on the course," Adams said. "She has had a very successful junior career and strives to get better every day. Her golf game is very consistent and mature, and with her potential, she will make a difference when she arrives on campus.
In addition to her victories for Calhoun High, Manley won four junior tournaments during the 2021-22 season. Her father, Jeff, played basketball at Gordon College.
We're getting a good one in Ella Manley!#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/90jn8Vntz4
— MT Women's Golf (@MT_WGolf) November 11, 2022
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