KINGWOOD – When you think of the best athletes to ever walk the halls of Preston High School, there’s zero doubt that the name Slaton Manko should come to mind.
Manko was a four-year starter on the varsity basketball team and a three-year starter for the baseball team.
However, Manko will continue his athletic career on the gridiron, as he signed with West Liberty University on Wednesday morning at PHS.
“Pretty much my whole life went into this decision,” Manko said. “It feels great to have this opportunity, especially with a school like West Liberty. I feel great about it, and I’m excited and ready to get to work.”
Manko says he enjoys the small-school feel at WLU and that he was already somewhat familiar with the campus.
“It’s a small setting, kind of like Preston,” he said. “I didn’t want to attend a big school, and everything’s right there. Honestly, West Liberty wasn’t on my radar at first, but when I got this opportunity, it was a no-brainer for me.”
Although he played both sides of the ball successfully for PHS, Manko will have the chance to play quarterback for the Hilltoppers in the fall, something he says he is looking forward to and was hoping would happen.
“It means a lot, I feel like the coaches believe in my ability to play the position,” he said. “I’m not the biggest guy, but I think what I bring to the position enables me to be successful, and I believe I can do that at the next level.”
Manko leaves Preston as one of the most accomplished football players in school history.
During his career as a quarterback, Manko passed for 5,731 yards and 57 touchdowns and rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns (365 receiving). He totaled 7,807 offensive yards and 78 total touchdowns for the Knights.
In his final season, Manko earned WVSWA First-Team All-State honors after throwing for 2,734 yards (27 TDs) and rushing for 690 yards (8 TDs). In the Knights’ regular-season finale, Manko completed 43 passes for 691 yards against Buckhannon-Upshur.
“As a little kid coming to games up here on Friday nights, I dreamed about playing quarterback up here,” Manko said. “The past four years have meant the world to me. I’ve tried to always represent this community and this county the right way. That’s all I’ve tried to do. I just hope that I can leave a lasting example of that. No matter where you are or who you are, you can do anything you want. You have to put your head down and work hard, and you’ll get the opportunities you deserve.”
