At 5-foot-3, Kat Ball never looked like the biggest athlete on the floor, field or golf course.
That never mattered.
Over the last four years at Manhattan High, Ball built one of the more standout athletic careers the school has seen in recent memory — starring across golf, basketball and softball and becoming one of the defining competitors of this era of Manhattan athletics.
Now, the senior is taking the next step, signing to continue her academic and athletic career in golf at Washburn University.
“Washburn was really the first school that I looked at, and I kind of just fell in love with it,” Ball said. “Obviously, I wanted to keep exploring my options in different sports, but all in all, it’s still close to home while also being far enough away.
“I already have some friends up there, like Kierra Goos and Reagan Neitzel, who played softball at Manhattan High. So it’s going to be a super fun environment, and I’m really excited.”
That decision closes the book on a high school career few athletes could replicate.
Ball was a four-year varsity athlete in all three sports — golf, basketball and softball — while earning all-league honors, state medals and recognition across nearly every season. This spring, Ball looks to land on the Mercury’s All-Flint Hills team for a 10th time across her career while also earning academic honors in the classroom.
Outside of sports, Ball was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and proudly coached a Special Olympics basketball team, the “Pink Leopards.” She was also crowned homecoming queen in the winter.
And somehow, she did it while balancing year-round competition.
Golf eventually won out.
“Golf was just always something that I came back to,” Ball said. “Looking 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.”
Washburn’s women’s golf program started in the fall of 2024, becoming the 12th member of the MIAA to field a team.
“Washburn’s 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,” Manhattan girls’ golf coach Paige McCarthy said. “Kat’s hard work and competitiveness should help bring the team even more success.”
Ball’s love for the sport fueled one of the best stretches in recent Manhattan girls’ golf history.
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 — Manhattan’s first top-three finish at state since 2008.
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.
“The emotions are unreal,” Ball said after the championship. “It was an experience that none of us had been through, and we climbed a lot of mountains to get there.”
The following season, the Indians defended their crown, winning the program’s 13th state title with another strong performance from Ball, who placed third individually at state with a 150 total.
“It’s always been a motivation to continue that legacy,” Ball said of the program’s storied history following the second title. “We wanted more.”
McCarthy said Ball’s competitive nature separated her from the beginning.
“Kat is an amazing young lady,” McCarthy said. “She 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.”
McCarthy said Ball became one of the key pieces behind Manhattan’s return to statewide prominence.
“The 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,” McCarthy said. “She will definitely be remembered as one of the best female athletes at Manhattan High.”
Golf alone would have made for a memorable high school career.
Manhattan High’s Kat Ball guards Wichita East’s Quinacy Galbert during the Indians’ 72-58 6A sub-state championship loss to the Blue Aces March 6 in Manhattan.
Staff photo by Lewis Marien
But every winter, Ball traded spikes for basketball shoes and became one of the Centennial League’s top guards.
After earning second-team all-league honors as a sophomore on Manhattan’s state tournament team, Ball grew into a two-time first-team All-Centennial League selection. As a senior, she averaged 10.7 points, 3.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game while helping the Indians share the Centennial League title.
Her name now appears throughout Manhattan’s basketball record book, including the career steals record. She’s listed 13 times in the Indians’ top 20 single-season and career basketball stats. In each of the last three years, she was a top-three scorer and rebounder for MHS, despite often being one of the shortest players on the floor.
“What an outstanding athlete and an especially outstanding young person,” head girls’ basketball coach Scott Mall said. “Kat Ball has made such a big impact at MHS and in Manhattan High basketball over the past four years because of her competitiveness, her leadership, her coachability and her willingness to do whatever is necessary for her team to be successful.”
Then came softball season.
Ball spent four years as a starter for Manhattan softball, primarily anchoring the Indians’ defense as the shortstop. Her career started under former head Connie Miller and later under Jori Bellas.
As a sophomore and junior, Ball was a first-team all-league selection. Still in the midst of her senior season, Ball led Manhattan with six home runs through its first 22 games of the season.
While helping bridge the program from Frank Anneberg Park into the new era at CiCo Park, this spring also brought one final opportunity — sharing the field with her younger sister, Josey.
“It’s been super fun,” Ball said of playing alongside her sister Josey. “I’ll always bicker with her and make jokes about her, but in the end, I love her so much, and it’s been super cool to have this one year together.
“Obviously, I’ll come back and watch her grow as an individual herself and see all the amazing things she can do.”
Manhattan High’s Kat Ball throws to first base on a double play attempt after forcing out Bishop Carroll’s Keira Stripling at second during the Indians’ 3-0 loss to the Golden Eagles in the first game of a doubleheader May 8 at Steel and Pipe Supply Ballpark.
Staff photo by Lewis Marien
Bellas called Ball “a staple piece” of the softball program.
“Her leadership, even from day one as a freshman, has been outstanding,” Bellas said. “The girls look up to her, they respect her, they take criticism from her to heart and they want to be better players when she’s around.”
The longtime Manhattan roots run deep, too.
Ball’s father, Gar Ball, was part of a famous moment in school football history — hauling in the game-winning touchdown from Matt Veatch in Manhattan’s 1985 playoff win over a Wichita North team featuring future Hall of Famer Barry Sanders.
For years, Ball heard the stories attached to her family name around town.
But she also wanted her own story.
“Growing up, I always thought my dad just knew a lot of people,” she said. “But then you start hearing the stories about your dad and your grandparents, and you kind of look back at that and see the shoes you have to fill.
“But I also wanted to make my own legacy. Hopefully over these past four years, I’ve done that while also doing everything I can to make them proud.”
As graduation nears, Ball admits the reality of the final chapter is beginning to settle in.
“It’s definitely been hitting hard,” Ball said. “Especially with our softball banquet coming up, knowing that will be my last banquet. I catch myself looking back at old photos and realizing how fast it all went by, but also trying to savor every last moment I can, especially with these girls.”
When she reflects on Manhattan High, the memories go far beyond wins and trophies.
“I always go back to my freshman year in softball when we won regionals,” Ball said. “That was such a fun environment with fun girls. In basketball, going to state was super fun, too. But honestly, it’s also the funny bus rides and bad karaoke singing — just all the fun memories with the team.
“And then the back-to-back golf titles, that’s always super fun to look back at too. Really, just all of it.”
Ball also reflects on the mentors she’s had across her four varsity head coaches.
“I really would not be here without them,” Ball said. “Each coach taught me something different, both on the field or court and in life too. That’s the biggest thing. Coaches are there for your sport, but they’re also there for you as a person.
“They probably know more about me than they want to,” she said with a laugh. “But having that close environment with my coaches, I’ve been super blessed to have that.”
Before heading to Washburn, Ball made sure to leave one final message to the community that watched her grow from a freshman into one of Manhattan’s most accomplished athletes.
“I just want to thank the Manhattan community for everything they’ve done for me,” Ball said. “I’ve met so many people along the way — so many parents, friends and even people in college who still contact me. Then there are the underclassmen that I hope I’ve made an impression on and impacted their lives.
“Roll Tribe.”