October 9, 2021

By Fred Liggett

The list of athletic achievements for Lee’s Summit North Softball standout Cierra Harrison continues to grow at a steady pace. The senior has accumulated over 800 career strikeouts and already holds the school record for career wins in LS North history. For one week last month Harrison was simply unbeatable and it made for a memorable week for her and her family.

The week began on Tuesday, Sept. 14 when Harrison threw a no-hitter vs Park Hill in a 10-0 win by the Broncos softball team. The week wasn’t over and neither was Harrison. On Friday, Sept. 17 the LS North Broncos football team hosted the defending state champions in Ray-Pec Panthers. At halftime the king and queen candidates were taken out to mid field and introduced to the crowd. Harrison was escorted by her mom and younger brother. Harrison’s dad passed away a year ago. Harrison feels it was “a joy to be nominated.” Cierra was nominated by teachers at the school. Then it was Harrison who heard her name called by the public address announcer as she was crowned homecoming queen. Harrison described the whole experience as “super fun.”

On the no-hitter, Harrison admits late in the game she “didn’t even know, just keep throwing my game.” Following the game an opposing coach for Park Hill said “remember the name Cierra Harrison.” The reasons for all of this success on the field? Harrison says it’s due to “hard work pays off.” In addition to playing for her school Harrison has played for the Aces softball team made up of players in the Kansas City metro area. The Aces play games throughout the Midwest region.

Thanks to being a senior this season Harrison has taken on the task of a team leader. Following the 2020 season the Broncos softball program had to say goodbye to Kinsey Fiedler who is now playing at the University of Washington. For Head Softball Coach Jon Gage and the 2021 Broncos haven’t missed a beat. Harrison says “Fiedler was a big leader of the team, a ball of energy.” Harrison feels “my role is to step up” and help the Broncos “make it back to state.”

The Broncos won on Senior Night 13-4 last week as they prepare for post-season play. The team is hot right now winning seven in a row including a 13-2 win over Ray Pec on Tuesday, Oct 5. Harrison fanned 12 batters in six innings of work in the game. Up next for Harrison and the Broncos is the district tournament that begins on Tuesday, Oct. 12. The Broncos open up against Raytown with a 4 p.m. game being played at Legacy Park. Following what the Broncos hope are many post-season wins Harrison will begin to think about competing at the college level. Harrison has committed to play division 1 softball at the University of Missouri. One can only imagine what she will be able to accomplish in just one week at MU.