5 Super Athletes With Ties To Harrisburg

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Harrisburg area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Jennifer Brady (Tennis)

Jennifer Brady, a professional tennis player from Harrisburg, reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 13 and made the final of the 2021 Australian Open. She played collegiate tennis at UCLA, helping the team win the 2014 NCAA National Championship before turning professional. She first gained attention in 2017 with a surprise run to the fourth round of both the Australian Open and US Open. After a brief shift toward doubles, she returned to singles success in 2020, winning her first WTA title at the Top Seed Open and making a semifinal run at the US Open. Brady made her Olympic debut in 2021 but was sidelined by injuries later that year, forcing a two-year hiatus before her triumphant return to competition in 2023.

2. Hyleas Fountain (Heptathlon)

Hyleas Fountain is a Harrisburg-born heptathlete who earned a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She began her track career in Harrisburg’s youth programs before competing at Barton Community College and the University of Georgia, where she won NCAA titles in the heptathlon and long jump. Fountain first gained international recognition at the 2005 World Championships, finishing 12th, and placed eighth at the 2006 World Indoor Championships. After qualifying for the 2008 Olympics with a personal best score of 6,667 points, she originally finished third but was later awarded silver after a competitor’s disqualification. Fountain continued competing at a high level, later qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

3. Les Bell (Baseball)

Les Bell of Harrisburg was a professional baseball third baseman from Harrisburg, playing in the major leagues and even winning a World Series. His baseball career began in the minor leagues in 1921 before breaking into the majors with the Cardinals. He became their regular third baseman in 1925, finishing third on the team in RBIs behind Hall of Famers Rogers Hornsby and Jim Bottomley. His best season came in 1926 when he hit .325 with 17 home runs and 100 RBIs, helping the Cardinals secure their first championship. Bell later played for the Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs before finishing his professional career in the minor leagues, where he managed the Harrisburg Senators.

4. Marques Colston (Football)

Marques Colston, a former NFL wide receiver from Harrisburg, is the all-time franchise leader in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns for the New Orleans Saints. He starred at Susquehanna Township High School before playing college football at Hofstra University. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft, Colston quickly became one of the Saints' most reliable offensive weapons. He played a pivotal role in New Orleans’ Super Bowl XLIV victory in 2010, recording seven catches for 83 yards.

5. Barney Ewell (Running)

Barney Ewell, an Olympic sprinter from Harrisburg, won one gold and two silver medals at the 1948 London Olympics. He was a standout at John Piersol McCaskey High School before excelling at Penn State University, where he won 12 collegiate championships between 1940 and 1942. His career was interrupted by military service during World War II, but he returned to competition in 1947 and tied the world record in the 100m sprint at the 1948 Olympic Trials. At the Olympics, he finished second in both the 100m and 200m but won gold as part of the 4x100m relay team after a disqualification ruling was overturned. After retiring from amateur competition, Ewell continued competing professionally and later mentored young athletes in Pennsylvania.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.