Moore excited for journey with Jayhawk track program

Alyse Moore didn’t even pick up a javelin until a few years ago and didn’t give track a thought when she got into high school.

Three years later, Moore is now preparing herself to throw at the Division I level. 

The Louisburg senior recently signed her letter on intent to join the University of Kansas track and field program and compete in the javelin. 

“To be able to sign with KU is truly a dream come true for me,” Moore said. “I have always dreamed of competing at the collegiate level, and I’ve always wanted to be able to compete at the Division 1 level.”

It has been quite the journey for Moore in the javelin — one that started her sophomore year as she played softball and competed in track at the same time, to one that ended with a broken school record and two state medals.

Moore, who is a three-sport athlete at Louisburg, always saw herself playing softball in the spring for the Wildcats. 

That was until her parents had a conversation with Louisburg track coach Andy Wright and convinced them to let Alyse try both sports.

“The only reason that I actually ever started javelin was because my parents and Andy and Amy Wright went out to dinner one night, and the Wright’s convinced my parents that I would be a great javelin thrower, because they had seen my fast arm during softball,” Moore said. “That year I was still playing softball and actually chose softball as my main focus at the time, but Coach (Alex) Gentges would voluntarily stay after practice and coach me. 

“I really did not get that much time to compete or practice, so the next year I made probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make, and decided to just focus on javelin instead of softball. I honestly had no idea that I would end up where I’m at now when I first began throwing. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even place at my very first meet.”

Despite doing two sports at the same time, Moore took off in the javelin as she threw over 120 feet at regionals as a sophomore to qualify for state and then went on to place fourth overall at the state meet.

At the same time, Moore was a part of the 2019 Wildcat softball that won a regional title and qualified for state and was able to compete on the state level in two different sports.

Then in 2020, Moore and everyone else lost their spring season due to COVID, but it only left her hungrier. 

In her senior campaign, Moore broke a 20-year-old school record in the javelin at 149 feet and went on to place fourth at state for the second straight season.

Moore, who was also a starter on the Louisburg girls’ basketball team that had its best finish in its history this past season as the Lady Cats took third at state, wasn’t sure what sport she wanted to do in college.

Then KU came calling and Moore knew it was the right spot for her.

“I had really been struggling about deciding where I wanted to go to college, and I had several other schools interested in having me on their team, but I had just been waiting on a school that I knew would be the best fit for me,” Moore said. “I chose KU because they have a very successful track and field program, they have a great nursing program and that worked well with my major. The coaches were extremely transparent with me, and my mom also attended KU, so I was very familiar with the school.”

As for what she would like to accomplish with the Jayhawk program, Moore has many goals for herself, but she knows those will take hard work to accomplish.

“When I go to KU, my first goal is to be able to consistently place at meets, and also win some really big meets,” Moore said. “I want to continue to get better and once I achieve the first goals that I have set for myself, I would love to eventually be able to compete at the Olympic level.

“There is a possibility that I could throw shot put during the indoor season, and I would personally love to try hammer throw. I am looking forward to being able to see what else I can do to help benefit the team and I’m all-around super excited.”