Two of the area’s most highly decorated athletes have set their courses for the future. WHILE HAMMOND has made his decision on which college he will attend, there are still choices to be made.
Humboldt High’s Tanner McNutt and Crest High’s Kyle Hammond were honored during separate ceremonies Thursday to recognize their letters of intent to attend college.
McNutt will attend Pittsburg State University on a track scholarship. Hammond will play football at Fort Scott Community College.
McNutt, son of Scott and Valerie McNutt, is the defending state champion in the Class 3A 800-meter run. His time last May at the state track meet was the fastest of all six Kansas classes. He also earned a silver medal in the 400-meter dash, bronze in the long lump and anchored the 4×400-meter relay team to a fourth-place finish.
As a sophomore, McNutt earned second in the 400 at the state track meet, while also qualifying in the 4×400, triple jump and long jump, earning top-15 finishes in each. He also qualified as a freshman at Marmaton Valley High in the 4×400, high jump and 400.
McNutt holds the Humboldt school record in the triple jump at 43 feet, 5½ inches.
McNutt said picking Pittsburg State was an easy decision.
“They made me feel comfortable on all of my visits,” McNutt said. “It felt like the best place to go.”
McNutt will study physical education and continue focusing on near distance sprints at PSU.
McNutt also has been a standout football and basketball player all four years of high school.
That’s because Hammond was a standout performer at so many positions.
He earned all-state honors on both offense and defense in both his senior and junior seasons, as well as taking home all-league honors since he entered Crest’s doors as a freshman.
Hammond said Fort Scott head coach Curtis Horton envisions him in an offensive role, “but my defensive coordinator (Keith Jordan) wants me to play defensive back.”
Hammond rushed for 5,775 yards as a Lancer, including 2,020 in 2012. He also completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,628 yards and 39 touchdowns in high school. As a senior, he threw for 1,119 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Hammond racked up 377 career receiving yards, 1,339 yards in kickoff returns and averaged 33 yards as the team’s punter. He also handled kickoff duties and punt return duties at various times.
On defense, Hammond accumulated 355 tackles — nearly nine stops a game — along with six interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
“I picked Fort Scott because the coaches work hard to get you to graduate,” said Hammond, who also sports a 4.0 grade-point average in high school.
Hammond also is a standout basketball player for the Lancers.
“It was a little difficult at first to pick football, but the decision has gotten easier,” Hammond said. “Hopefully, I can get better so I can eventually go on to a four-year school.”
Hammond is the son of Chad and Brenna Hammond.
Hammond signs with FSCC football; McNutt to run track at PSU
