At 5-foot-3, Kat Ball never looked like the biggest athlete on the floor, field or golf course.<\/p>\n
That never mattered.<\/p>\n
Over the last four years at Manhattan High, Ball built one of the more standout athletic careers the school has seen in recent memory \u2014 starring across golf, basketball and softball and becoming one of the defining competitors of this era of Manhattan athletics.<\/p>\n
Now, the senior is taking the next step, signing to continue her academic and athletic career in golf at Washburn University.<\/p>\n
\u201cWashburn was really the first school that I looked at, and I kind of just fell in love with it,\u201d Ball said. \u201cObviously, I wanted to keep exploring my options in different sports, but all in all, it\u2019s still close to home while also being far enough away.<\/p>\n
\u201cI already have some friends up there, like Kierra Goos and Reagan Neitzel, who played softball at Manhattan High. So it\u2019s going to be a super fun environment, and I\u2019m really excited.\u201d<\/p>\n
That decision closes the book on a high school career few athletes could replicate.<\/p>\n
Ball was a four-year varsity athlete in all three sports \u2014 golf, basketball and softball \u2014 while earning all-league honors, state medals and recognition across nearly every season. This spring, Ball looks to land on the Mercury\u2019s All-Flint Hills team for a 10th time across her career while also earning academic honors in the classroom.<\/p>\n
Outside of sports, Ball was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and proudly coached a Special Olympics basketball team, the \u201cPink Leopards.\u201d She was also crowned homecoming queen in the winter.<\/p>\n
And somehow, she did it while balancing year-round competition.<\/p>\n
Golf eventually won out.<\/p>\n
\u201cGolf was just always something that I came back to,\u201d Ball said. \u201cLooking at four more years of my life, I had to ask myself what I wanted to dedicate most of my time to. In the end, golf was really that for me, and I just found my true love for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Washburn\u2019s women\u2019s golf program started in the fall of 2024, becoming the 12th member of the MIAA to field a team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWashburn\u2019s program is in its infancy, but Coach (Ronnie) McHenry has done a tremendous job of getting them to the top of the MIAA conference already,\u201d Manhattan girls\u2019 golf coach Paige McCarthy said. \u201cKat\u2019s hard work and competitiveness should help bring the team even more success.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ball\u2019s love for the sport fueled one of the best stretches in recent Manhattan girls\u2019 golf history.<\/p>\n
Ball was key as the Indians recorded back-to-back Class 6A state championships in 2024 and 2025 after helping the program break through with a runner-up finish in 2023 \u2014 Manhattan\u2019s first top-three finish at state since 2008.<\/p>\n
As a junior, Ball finished second individually at state, firing back-to-back rounds of even-par 71 while helping Manhattan claim its first state title in 16 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe emotions are unreal,\u201d Ball said after the championship. \u201cIt was an experience that none of us had been through, and we climbed a lot of mountains to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following season, the Indians defended their crown, winning the program\u2019s 13th state title with another strong performance from Ball, who placed third individually at state with a 150 total.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been a motivation to continue that legacy,\u201d Ball said of the program\u2019s storied history following the second title. \u201cWe wanted more.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCarthy said Ball\u2019s competitive nature separated her from the beginning.<\/p>\n
\u201cKat is an amazing young lady,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cShe commits herself fully to the sport she is participating in at the time. This is evidenced in her state titles and school records. It will be exciting to see how she does when she focuses on just one.\u201d<\/p>\n
McCarthy said Ball became one of the key pieces behind Manhattan\u2019s return to statewide prominence.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe stars aligned so that we had some amazing golfers at the same time, and Kat was vital in helping the team earn one second place and two more state titles for the program,\u201d McCarthy said. \u201cShe will definitely be remembered as one of the best female athletes at Manhattan High.\u201d<\/p>\n
Golf alone would have made for a memorable high school career.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Manhattan High\u2019s Kat Ball guards Wichita East\u2019s Quinacy Galbert during the Indians\u2019 72-58 6A sub-state championship loss to the Blue Aces March 6 in Manhattan.<\/p>\n