Recent Humboldt graduate Laney Hull has plenty of options if she chooses to further her athletic career at Emporia State University, but before she makes a decision she plans to enjoy one last run on the diamond with her teammates.
Hull, May’s Allen County Area Female Athlete of the Month, wrapped up her high school athletic career in the regional finals with a 3-0 loss to eventual state champion Colgan, as well as competing for state titles in the 300 hurdles and the high jump at Wichita State.
“It was awesome knowing we made it that far; and it felt good to end my senior season there,” Hull said. “We lost to Colgan by three and that was heartbreaking. They were a solid team, and we fought hard. It just came down to which team could get the ball around quicker, and it was them. We played our hearts out and everyone played to their fullest, and everyone in the stands seemed to notice.”
Hull’s athletic prowess is matched by her scholarly success. Humboldt High listed her on the teacher’s honor roll for students with a GPA of between 3.0 and 3.5. She also graduated with enough community college credits to academically price her out of the market for many junior college programs.
“It’s up in the air, still. I got a couple of JUCO and community college offers for track and softball,” Hull said. “With how many college credits I took, I took too many to go to many of those colleges. I’m debating walking on at Emporia for track or softball.”
Hull, who played shortstop for the 19-10 Tri-Valley League champion Lady Cubs, was an All-TVL honorable mention. She developed a reputation for her surehandedness while finishing the season near the top of the Humboldt leader board in virtually all offensive statistical categories.
Hull had a .323 batting average, driving in 35 runs while hitting eight triples and seven doubles. Hull credited much of her success to the team’s close relationships on the diamond and in the dugout.
“We loved to play together, and after the game (against Colgan) we were pretty emotional,” Hull said. “The team is not going to be the same next year, but they’re going to be pretty good. We left a pretty good mark.
“A few past seniors made it pretty hard to come together, but we made it to where it was easy to go to practice and talk. We were all friends and most of us got close enough to seem like family.”
Hull wrapped up her athletic career on the Wheat State’s grandest stage while running in the 300-meter hurdles and the high jump.
She came in 16th in the high jump with a 4’-8” leap. She finished 18th in the hurdles after reaching the finish line in 52.89 seconds.
Hull said she was grateful for the experience and the public for noticing her accomplishments by nominating her for Athlete of the Month.
“I got a new perspective or how many people knew who I was and supported me,” said Hull, who plans to major in health and human performance at ESU.
“Knowing that so many people are supporting me and rooting for me. It’s a great feeling.”
Hull said her athletic career may not be over just yet if she tries her luck by walking on to the ESU track and field or softball team. However, she has at least a month to make that decision.
Until then, she wants to do what she loves with the teammates she loves.
