Five local products join forces at NPCC

(left to right): Byanka Tyan, Karlee Denny, Afia Hunt, Wren Herrick, and Alieze Moreno will join forces at North Platte Community College for the upcoming softball season.

North Platte, Neb. – Five local student-athletes signed to continue their athletic careers at North Platte Community College.

Wren Herrick (Gothenburg), Byanka Tyan (McCook), Karlee Denny (North Platte), Afia Hunt (North Platte) and Alieze Moreno (North Platte) were amongst the first signees for head coach Mark Franzen.

“We are going to build this the right way,” said Franzen. “It makes it easier when you have athletes that understand the community and what we are trying to build.”

Denny attended Hershey High School and etched her name into the record books during her tenure. Her resiliency at the plate places her atop the record book in hits, runs batted in, on-base percentage and batting average. She plans to pursue an Associate of Arts degree and transfer to the University of Nebraska – Kearney to major in Communication Disorders.

Moreno played a variety of positions at North Platte High School. She was an honorable mention Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star selection back in 2021. Her talents guided the Bulldogs to a Class A-3 District runner-up finish and a Class B State Championship with the North Platte Sensations 18-and-under team in 2023.

Herrick finished off her high school career as an outfielder and first baseman for the Swedes. She was also part of the North Platte Sensations 18-and-under team that earned a Class B State Championship in 2023 and the National Kansas City World Championship in 2024.

Tyan spent time behind the plate and in the outfield for the McCook Prodigy, while Afia Hunt will add some much-needed depth to the infield for the Knights this upcoming season.