Hannah Petersen and Carson Burgart are best friends and have played softball together since they were 8 or 9 years old. They don't see any reason to change things in college.

The Cedar Rapids Jefferson seniors even signed their national letter-of-intent at the same ceremony.

Petersen and Burgart signed Wednesday afternoon with Mount Mercy University, where they'll be teammates and roommates as freshmen next year.

"We're going to room together, against our parents' wishes," Burgart said with a smile. "They've heard all these stories about how friends go to college, room together and then up hating each other.

"But we've never had any problems, because we're honest with each other if anything is bothering one of us," she said. "I've heard lots of stories about best friends going to college together and it's worked out.

"We've always wanted to do it, but it's never been like we have to go to the same college, because we knew we were going to stay friends either way."

Petersen, an all-state pitcher, and Burgart, a slick-fielding shortstop, have played for the Jefferson varsity softball team since they were eighth graders and have helped the J-Hawks compile a 143-34 record the last four years.

"They've had a major impact on the program," Coach Larry Niemeyer said Wednesday.

Burgart was Jefferson's catcher before she moved to shortstop last season, but she plans to be a catcher in college. Burgart and Petersen talked about going to college together - it wasn't a deal-breaker for either one of them - and they're delighted the way it turned out.

"It's what we both wanted. Of course I want to play with her," Petersen said. "We're best friends."

Petersen compiled an 18-4 record with a 0.88 earned run average last season. She struck out 177 batters (with only 24 walks) in 144 innings, and opponents hit just .138 against her. She also batted .329 with 14 RBIs.

Burgart hit .295 with three homers and 21 RBIs as a junior when Jefferson finished 32-7.

Petersen and Burgart both played for the Blue Devils fast-pitch softball team as youngsters, and that's another reason they're excited about attending Mount Mercy. Glenn Johnson, Mount Mercy's co-head coach, was also their coach with the Blue Devils.

Johnson, co-head coach Larry Yoder and Mount Mercy pitching coach John Olachnovitch all attended the ceremony in the Jefferson library Wednesday, which is permitted under NAIA rules. "I know the coaches really well already," Petersen said.

Jefferson could have four college-bound players on its softball team this season. Rachel Sedlacek has signed with the University of Northern Iowa, and senior Kenna Fry is being recruited as well.

"I definitely think we have a great chance of going to state this year," Burgart said. "We all really want it. We've all played together a long time. It's always been our goal - not just to go to state but to win it."

The IGHSAU is expanding the state softball tournament to five classes this summer. "We thought, what could be better than to win the first 5A state championship," Burgart said. "That's kind of our goal."