Wamego’s Peyton Hardenburger – Tennessee Softball
Peyton Hardenburger last Wednesday signed a letter of intent to play softball for the University of Tennessee. Hardenburger’s accomplishments on the diamond include leading the Lady Raiders to two state championships and being named Gatorade Athlete of the Year. She is pictured with her parents Travis and Miranda Hardenburger. Photo by Beth Day from The Times.
She is On3’s No. 4 ranked player in the nation, No. 2 ranked pitcher in the 2025 class and No. 1 player from Kansas. Holds a career record of 35-1 with 13 no-hitters and 652 strikeouts.
Manhattan’s Hanna Pellant – Ole Miss Track & Field
With national signing day this week, Manhattan High sprinter Hanna Pellant officially dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s toward the next step in her academic and athletic career.
The senior, who took the state by storm with a 6A state record and school record in the 100m, still can’t believe how far she’s come.
“I thought I would never get here, I didn’t think I was going to be this good and get to do this,” she said. “I’m just truly blessed to be doing something like this, and I’m just really, really excited to take it to the next level.”
The next level for Pellant is a 10-hour trek from Manhattan. It’s a long way from home for someone who has called the Little Apple home for as long as she can remember. Still, she’s very confident she’ll be successful in Oxford, Miss.
Read the rest of the article at themercury.com
Manhattan’s Harli Omli – Texas Tech Track & Field
Manhattan High track star Harli Omli is officially headed to Lubbock, Texas, after signing to continue her track career at Texas Tech Wednesday.
The moment she officially became a Red Raider was so special for Omli that she struggled to express how much it meant to her.
“I’m very blessed, to say the least,” she said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without my coaches…I loved how everyone came in support (the signing). You can tell how much people love the sports here in Manhattan, and then just the connections we all make together on the track team.”
Omli decided on Texas Tech over other power-four schools in K-State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Oregon and Michigan. She said all of the options were “very close” to the top but there was something special about Lubbock, Texas.
Read the rest of the article at themercury.com
Wabaunsee’s Payton Wurtz – K-State Track & Field / Cross Country
Wabaunsee senior Payton Wurtz signed to run cross country and track and field at Kansas State in a ceremony on Tuesday.
“I chose Kansas State not only because I’ve wanted to go there since I was three, but the coaches, staff, and team are incredible,” Wurtz said. “It’s exactly where I need to be to continue growing athletically and as an individual as well.
