By Dave Sontag
Senior Writer

He is a man with an outline.

While many high school seniors are unsure what their educational and career plans are following Graduation Day, Orchard Lake St. Mary senior Conor Bowers has his life planned for the next 10 years.

The talented right-handed pitcher will finish his senior year at St. Mary and head to West Point to play baseball for the Army Black Knights. With a GPA of 3.63 and an ACT score of 28, Bowers certainly had his choice of colleges and universities.

“I was recruited by several MAC (Mid American Conference) schools, but I really feel that my best educational choice was the Army,” Bowers said.

Bowers said that he will welcome the structure of the United State Military Academy of West Point.

“I have it all planned. I will leave for boot camp June 26 (2014) and then begin school in August,” Bowers said.

He will train at West Point for four years and then continue in the U.S. Army for five years following his stint at West Point.

“I consider myself a leader, and eventually I would like to work in business administration,” Bowers said.

So how did Bowers connect with Army to continue his baseball career?

“I was talking with my pitching coach, Dylan Putnam. He said that if I was interested in continuing my baseball career, the military would be a positive path,” Bowers said.

Following the conversation with Putnam, Bowers emailed assistant coach Anthony DeCicco from Army. The coach then immediately flew to Michigan to see Bowers throw a bullpen.

“We hit it off. I flew to West Point and made my decision,” Bowers said.

It is not surprising that humility is a chief characteristic of Bowers. He credits his parents, Marcia and Terry Bowers, with being influential with his post-high school decision. The 6-2, 175-pound senior also credits Putnam and his high school coach, Matt Petry, with their guidance and tutelage.

Bowers said that he is excited about Army’s recent success on the diamond. The Division 1 Black Knights have been Regional winners in the past two years. What does he hope to add to the mound corps next year?

“I will go out and try to help my team,” Bowers said. “But, in the end, it is just a game.”

The Orchard Lake St. Mary hurler said that his high school pitching coach, Dan Petry, has taught him the mental part of pitching. The former Detroit Tigers star pitcher preaches to have his throwers attack the zone early in the count.

“He talks about staying within myself and making sure that I throw first-pitch strikes,” Bowers said.

In an age when many high school seniors are wondering when the next dance is scheduled, Conor Bowers has his 10-year blueprint mapped to the day. With a live arm, leadership goals, and attitude to match the Army’s creed, Bowers has already elevated himself above the rest.