It was a jam-packed opening weekend for the Howard University women’s bowling team, which played 13 matches at the Virginia Union Invitational. The Bison emerged with a 5-8 record. It was a bit tiring but also exciting for junior Kira Taylor, who transferred to Howard last year. Growing up in Houston, Texas, Taylor started bowling at the age of eight, but cheerleading was her main thing until 2023, when she switched to bowling as her main sport.
“I realized I had a greater passion for bowling than any other sport,” she said. “I realized I could go to college with it, so that made me appreciate it even more and work even harder at it.”
The level of Division I competition drives Taylor, who spent her freshman year at Barton College in North Carolina, a Division II liberal arts school. “I could really see the difference coming into the MEAC conference,” she said. “It’s really like a family; even though there’s that competitive drive and everybody wants to win, we all still have love for each other.”
A big part of that environment is that Howard is an HBCU institution. “[On this team], I have automatic friends and family,” Taylor said. “I grew up in a predominantly white area, so I honestly love Howard because I feel I’m finally with my people. … I feel it’s forced me to step outside of the bubble, so to speak, because I’m naturally more of a shy person, but this has given me the opportunity to grow.”
Taylor is studying psychology with an interest in forensics. She is planning to minor in political science. Her goal is to pursue graduate school, earn a doctorate and hopefully work at the FBI eventually.
“I’m planning to do research within the prison system as well as be the person who sees if people are fit to stand trial, reforming the mental health systems inside of prisons, all of that,” said Taylor, who is finishing required courses in abnormal psychology, social psychology and personality psychology. “I love all of these classes.”
Taylor’s bowling goals are to be more confident and consistent in her skillset. “For my team, we want to be able to keep the energy up throughout our tournaments, keep the confidence in each other, and bring the absolute best to every shot,” she said.
