Senior Profiles
Tyson Heidebrecht
While scoring a run in the state baseball tournament his freshman year is Tyson's favorite memory, it definitely wasn't all he was doing his four years at MHS.
Along with his four years of baseball, he was a four-year football player, three-year basketball player (9, 11, and 12) and he wrestled his sophomore year.
Tyson is finishing his high school playing days with the baseball team this spring, while competing in the MCAA for the first time.
However, he is no stranger to the new league. Tyson already competed in the league during the football and basketball season.
His football team was a co-division champ, and he was named to the league's first-team on defense, and honorable mention offensive team while playing both offensive and defensive line.
Tyson has enjoyed his high school athletic career but said, "You can't be a kid forever."
His adult plans include going to Wichita State University and trying to walk-on the baseball team.
If not, he may attend a technical school or junior college and try to play there.
Chris Freeby
For Chris, his senior year at MHS could go down as his most memorable.
While playing for the Warrior football squad Chris was named the MCAA's honorable mention all-defensive team.
While his team failed to make the state playoffs, they were co-division champs and one of Chris's two favorite memories happened during the season.
In the second game of district play, MHS traveled to cross-county rival Hillsboro.
The Warriors defeated the Trojans 19-0, behind a pair of interceptions by linebacker Freeby.
While Chris had a successful wrestling season this past fall, it was his sophomore year when he qualified for the state tournament that will stay with him.
Now that his high school career is over, Chris looks back and realizes how much hard work actually goes into athletics.
If he could do it all over again, he said he would remind himself to work harder.
He is satisfied with his career, and proud of himself for coming back strong after knee surgery. He also knows it couldn't have been done without some help.
"Thank you coaches and teachers," he said.
Chris isn't sure what he wants to do after high school, but he does know at some point he would like to coach high school wrestling.
Jill Hannaford
Jill, a four-year volleyball and basketball athlete at Marion High School, and two-year softball player, said volleyball has been both her favorite and best sport her four years at MHS.
Because of those reasons, volleyball would be the sport she would choose to coach in the future.
It's basketball, however, that provided her with her best memory during her athletic career at MHS.
Freshman year of basketball with Coach J (Steve Janzen), will stick in her mind forever.
"He believed in us, and taught us to have fun as well," Jill said.
That season her team went 14-2 while traveling around the state, defeating almost every team in its path.
While volleyball and basketball have lasting good impressions on Jill, softball may not be the same.
A not-so-good memory of playing outfield will stick in her mind forever.
As she was chasing a flyball during a game, she ran back to the fence to make the catch, where she "learned the fence does not move."
Overall Jill enjoyed her MHS sports experience. Playing with friends and the help from coaches she received will be the memories she will take from her playing days.
Every senior this season ended their careers while competing in the Mid-Central Activities Association, the inaugural year for MHS.
"It was interesting, but I missed playing against girls from the CVL," she said.
Intramurals will be a big part of Jill's plans when she attends Kansas State University this fall.
She will study sports medicine, and hopes to coach a Little League team during her stop in Manhattan.
Correction
Last week's senior profiles mis-identified MHS freshman basketball coach Steve Janzen as Phoebe Janzen.
