Soccer girls committing to Fort Hays State University

Taylor Bullock, Staff Writer

With college edging closer for a few of Manhattan’s high school athletes, committing is becoming a priority. Several students on the Manhattan High Girls Soccer team have committed to play for and further their education at Fort Hays State University. Those three girls consist of juniors Addy Stone and Cailey Perkins, along with senior Karmen Martinie.

FHSU is a public university in Hays. FSHU has a long list of extracurricular activities and sports, women’s soccer being one of them. With the coach reaching his 100th win and the team being 16th in the nation, it’s no wonder the MHS students have chosen to commit to Hays.

“I’ve gone to his camps in the summer and he comes down here to our college development camp in Manhattan,” Martinie said. “He’s just really been awesome throughout the years.”

Stone and Martinie are both supporters of the FHSU womens soccer coach.

“I’ve been going to the camps at Fort Hays since like sixth grade,” Stone said.

Though strictly devoted to FSHU since elementary school, Stone also looked at other potential colleges.

“I could find one thing that I hated or I didn’t like at other schools that I visited,” Stone said, “but, I can’t even find one thing that I don’t like about [Hays].”

The girls have endless reasons for their decision to commit to FSHU.

“Another reason I chose Fort Hays is because the sense of family, and tradition and the bond that we’ve created here,” Stone said.

Though unsure of what the future may hold, Martinie is sure of one thing: FSHU is the way to go.

“I don’t even know what I’m going to major in,” Martinie said. “I know I’m going to be there for four years though.”

The girls all have goals between now and college.

“[I plan to just get] better at soccer, [and work] on the ACT score to help me get more scholarships,” Martinie said.

“My plan is to actually graduate from Manhattan, and then hopefully leave a tradition for the soccer program here,” Stone said.

Stone also hopes to return to Manhattan after graduating from Hays to teach and coach.

MHS and FHSU both hold a special place in the hearts of these players. They’ve all made many memories here to carry on into the future.

The MHS soccer team has had plenty of accomplishments since the girls have been playing for the team. They were regional champs the past two years and went to state last year. Every player has something to be proud of and add to.

“[My favorite experience was] getting to watch my team last year beat Washburn Rural because we haven’t done that,” Martinie said.

Though Martinie didn’t get to play due to being sick at the time,she was still supportive of her team.

Just like Stone, Martinie also gives credit to the bond between all of the soccer girls, but is ready for new experiences.

“Just restarting everything, it’s kind of scary, but I know it’ll all be good,” Martinie said.