One of the best running backs in Kansas State history is ready for the next chapter of his career. Junior DJ Giddens announced Saturday that he would be skipping his senior season in Manhattan and declaring for the upcoming NFL Draft in April. “Growing up in Junction City, I always knew what a great program Kansas State football was,” Giddens said in a statement on his social media. ” I wasn’t sure if I’d have the opportunity to play there. But I worked hard, and it turned out to be a life-changing opportunity.” The former Blue Jay star worked hard…
Author: KMAN Staff
Under the relentless glare of Friday night lights, the quarterback stands alone as a leader, a tactician, and a target. One can only hope to see the bruising reality of countless hits each week culminate in playing at the highest stage of the sport. Manhattan High’s Carter Aslin forged himself into the quarterback mold, becoming the Indians’ fearless fighter to the Kansas 6A state title game and falling mere fingertips away from a state championship. For those reasons and more, he is The Mercury’s Fall All-Flint Hills Male Athlete of the Year. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click…
Manhattan High boys’ basketball nearly got back on track in Dodge City on Friday night but a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Anthony Perez sent the home crowd to the floor in a 57-56 win. The Indians (1-4) suffered another gut-wrenching defeat on the young season while the Red Demons (1-1) grabbed their first win. “I think right now, our ego is really getting in the way of a lot of potential,” head coach Benji George said. “We have to get over ourselves a little bit, I think as a team, and we have to buy into the fact that we’re much…
If you blinked, you might’ve missed Manhattan High girls’ basketball 20-0 start against Dodge City on Friday night, which ultimately led to a 66-22 road takeover. The Indians (4-1) extend their winning streak to four games, with the only loss coming narrowly in the season opener against Life Prep Academy. Dodge City fell to 0-2. Sophomore Bailey Busch notched a career-high of 18 points. The 5-foot-8 guard was the only scorer in double figures as 12 different Indians scored. As a team, Manhattan shot 41.5% with 9-16 shooting from distance. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…
K-State and Garden City Community College are joining forces to make bachelor’s degree programs available to students in southwest Kansas. This collaboration will allow students to complete their education locally, addressing a critical need in a region where only 17.9% of residents hold a four-year degree compared to the state average of 33.9%. The new initiative enables students to complete their first 60 to 75 credit hours at GCCC before finishing their bachelor’s degrees with K-State, while remaining right in Garden City. Programs will combine remote instruction with on-site lab experiences, offering flexibility and alignment with local workforce demands in…
Riley County Historical Museum will close at the end of the month for interior renovations, county officials announced Friday. The final day to see the items currently on display will be Dec. 22. The museum, at 2309 Claflin Road, will close until February while staff members and folunteers repaint the interior, update the layout and install new exhibits. The museum’s reopening is planned for Feb. 8. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday will decide whether to give incentives to a project to redevelop the Commerce Bank building at Eighth Street and Poyntz Avenue. Officials from Hartfield LLC are requesting up to $15 million in industrial revenue bonds and a 10-year property tax abatement to turn the downtown building at 727 Poyntz Ave. into a retail and residential space. If passed, the ordinance would allow the developer to pay taxing entities a total of the roughly $2 million 2024 value of the building over the next 10 years. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for…
Sunset Zoo officials on Friday said Vlad, a 20-year-old Amur leopard, died of natural causes Nov. 25. Vlad, who had lived had Manhattan’s zoo for more than 11 years, was one of the oldest living Amur leopards on record. The life expectancy of Amur leopards in the wild is about 10-15 years and in human care about 18 years. To view the full article visit theMercury.com. Click here for more local news.
By Tim Everson The standard has been set for Manhattan High wrestling. Last season, the Indians walked away with their fifth team state title in school history, and are locked in on adding a sixth this season. “It’s something that we talk about every year, whether we finish in the top 10, top 3 or we win it,” head coach Shawn Bammes said. “(A championship) is the goal every single year. And these boys have bought into that. That’s the standard. That’s what they’re working for. And when they’re bought in, other kids in the room see that and help…