The dynasty is alive and well.
For the second straight year, the Kansas Class 6A girls’ golf championship trophy is heading to Manhattan High, gleaming once again in MHS blue and red.
The Indians clinched their second consecutive state title Tuesday at Hesston Golf Course, firing a two-day total of 617 — 12 strokes clear of runner-up Shawnee Mission East.
The championship marks Manhattan’s 13th state title in program history and second in as many years, reestablishing the Indians as one of Kansas’ high school golf elites.
“It’s always been a motivation, you look and you see all those years that we’ve won the state championship, and it’s really motivating to make it more and want to continue that legacy,” senior Kat Ball said. “I think that definitely has driven us, even after winning last year. We wanted more — so I’m very glad that we were able to get this for me and a lot of the girls’ last year.”
After a 317 on a difficult, gusty opening round left them six shots back, the veteran Manhattan squad responded with the round of the tournament — a 300 on Tuesday — to storm past the field and secure another dominant finish.
Head coach Paige McCarthy said there was calm confidence in the team’s approach heading into the final day.
“Honestly, going into today, since we were within the six strokes, we just felt pretty calm,” McCarthy said. “Coach Kim Crusinberry and I were so confident that these girls, being the chasers, would really be on their game. They started out playing pretty well, and we weren’t making any headway. Shawnee Mission East was staying with us. But then all of a sudden, after about five or six holes, the tide started to turn.”
That steadiness paid off quickly. As the holes remaining dwindled, Manhattan’s balance and depth began to rise above the rest of the field.
“They’re just such competitors,” McCarthy said. “Almost all of them have played other sports, or do play other sports, and they just have that drive in them — they know what it is to compete. We’ve said, everyone just take care of what you can control, and they did.”
Junior Maddie Myers led Manhattan once again, putting a bow on another remarkable season. She placed second individually with a 7-over-par total of 149 (75–74).
Right alongside her was the senior Ball, who followed closely in third at 150 (76–74), giving Manhattan two top-three finishers for the second straight year, with Ball and Myers switching placements.
For Myers — one of the program’s anchor since her freshman year — the repeat felt even more rewarding than the first.
“We’re so hype,” Myers said. “We’re so glad we could just do it again. We’ve honestly been thinking of this moment all year. Staying focused was really difficult — I know we were all pretty nervous going into this, just because we knew what we really wanted. We knew we could do it — we just knew we had to definitely work for it.”
McCarthy called Myers the definition of composure.
“She’s got ice in her veins,” McCarthy said. “She just loves golf, and she doesn’t let anything rattle her. On the 18th hole, she drove to the left and was not far from being out of bounds, and she had to go over some trees and over a bunch of people standing by the green. She didn’t even think twice about it — she just hit an awesome shot to the fringe, and then she got up and down from there. She just lives for it. She loves golf.”
Senior Lily Bahr was the consistent presence the title holders needed, tying for eighth with a 156 (79–77). McCarthy also praised Bahr’s steady senior leadership.
“Lily, I can’t forget her. She was really solid as well,” McCarthy said. “She’s worked so hard, and last year she didn’t play quite as well as her practice showed. I’m just so thrilled for her that she came up big so many times this year and was very consistent for us.”
Senior Wrenn Burton surged up the leaderboard on Day 2 with a 75 to place 15th at 165, following a 90 on Monday. Senior Jessica Kim rounded out the scoring in 20th with a 168 (87–81).
Burton and Kim’s second-day rallies helped seal the comeback as Manhattan pulled away late to erase its early deficit.
“Day 2 Wrenn — that’s her name. She did that last year too,” McCarthy said. “She had a high first day, and then she just came back with a great score the second round. She didn’t carry anything with her from Day 1 to Day 2. It was just a new beginning, and she didn’t lose confidence in herself.
“And Jessica — she just went crazy,” McCarthy continued. “She played so well. I don’t even know if her score counted, but she really contributed. She came up big.”
Ball said the key to Manhattan’s success wasn’t just talent — it was trust in the lineup from top to bottom.
“This season was literally so amazing — the joy and fun we have all playing together, but also the competitiveness we bring each other, it’s just something that’s unmatched,” Ball said. “I don’t think any other team has it like us. That’s what makes golf so special — yes, it’s an individual sport, but it’s also a team sport because we make each other better.”
The senior also reflected on her bond with Myers, which dates back more than a decade.
“Maddie has been my little baby since day one,” Ball said. “We’ve played golf together since we were five years old, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It was so bittersweet watching her finish her last hole and knowing this was kind of it for us playing golf together for school. But I’m so grateful for everything Maddie has done for me. We’ve just been very close, and I’m so thankful for everything we’ve done — and she’s done for me.”
Before Tuesday’s final round, Ball said the team gathered for one last meeting — fittingly, in the weight room of their hotel.
“We just kind of gathered together and were like, what do we need to do?” she said. “And really, the conclusion we came to was that we just have to play our own game. Stop worrying about what we should do or what was bad — just focus on ourselves and every shot.”
The victory capped a historic season for the defending champions, who swept every tournament they entered, including the Centennial League title and regional crown.
McCarthy’s team continued its signature depth at state — with all five golfers finishing inside the top 20. Windy, cool conditions at Hesston challenged much of the field across both rounds, but the Indians’ experience and poise again proved the difference.
Myers and Ball both made a push for the individual lead medalist, but Shawnee Mission East’s Ella Slicker held on late, carding a 148 (70–78) for first place at 6-over.
“The thing is, our girls have really become good friends with a lot of them at Shawnee Mission East,” McCarthy said. “Their coach has been very gracious and kind to us and our girls, and has appreciated their work. We just realize how hard all of our girls have worked to get to this point.”
Shawnee Mission East, last year’s runner-up as well, was the only program to match Manhattan in a tournament this season, tying for first with the Indians at the Firebird Invitational in September. This time, the Indians left no doubt.
Manhattan will graduate a large core of seniors who contributed to back-to-back state titles, but the foundation remains strong. McCarthy expects the standard to stay high.
“We have the potential to be decent next year and continue the program on its upward swing,” she said. “But these last two years are going to be hard to beat.”
For Myers, next year’s lone returning star, the goal is simple.
“I’m really hoping to get my fourth year in a row to win at league individually,” Myers said. “And I’m just hoping to put my best foot forward — scoring-wise — trying to get the best average that I’ve had in my whole high school career.”
Manhattan’s dynasty — 13 state titles strong — now stands as the benchmark for Kansas golf once again.
“Historic. We have been very careful since the beginning to really appreciate the special group that they are,” McCarthy said. “They’re so self-driven and have so much support from their parents. They’ve worked hard, competed, and put in the time during the summers. I’m so glad for them that it’s paid off.”