If first-year Free State High girls swimming coach Jama Crady has learned anything the first two weeks of practice, it's that her squad prefers the shorter distances.
"We're still figuring out a lineup," said Crady, a former Lawrence High and Kansas University swimmer. "It's hard to put everyone in places that they want to be in. Everyone wants to swim the 50 free, but that's not possible."
The Firebirds and Lions, who practice together at Knox Natatorium but have separate coaches for the first time, will open today at Emporia.
LHS is coached by former Lion swimmer and assistant Ryan Adams. Crady and Adams replace longtime girls coach Pat Grzenda, who doubled as head coach for both city schools the past three years.
Numbers are high for both schools. The Lions have 39 girls on their roster and the Firebirds 25.
"We have 18 freshmen and that's more than all the Lawrence High boys combined," Adams said. "It's good to see a lot of girls coming out. We have lots of numbers. Depth will definitely not be a problem."
The city's top swimmer from last season is not part of those numbers. Lawrence High's Andrea Hemphill, second in the 200 individual medley and fourth in the 100 butterfly at state as a sophomore, will swim solely with the Lawrence Aquahawks club team.
"She decided she wanted more yardage than we could give her, so she's going to stick with the Aquahawks," Adams said.
State scorers back for the Lions are sophomores Megan Little (sixth in the 100 fly and 15th in the 200 free at state last year) and Sarah Marlow (11th in the 200 free).
LHS returns its entire 200 medley relay team of Sarah Ball, Samantha Milligan, Megan Little and Elise Schnose that placed 14th at state.
Schnose and fellow senior Beth Sheely are the team captains.
"Their leadership skills are helping out a lot," Adams said.
Free State's top returning swimmer Kelli Criswell won't join the squad until after spring break in two weeks. Criswell, a junior, placed third in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 free at state last spring.
Another key swimmer for Free State is senior Bria DeSalvo, who placed ninth in the 100 free and 10th in the 50 free at state. DeSalvo and Sadie Caplan are the Firebirds' team captains.
The city schools are deep in diving with a whopping 14 divers out.
"We're thinking about hiring another diving coach," Crady said. "(Diving coach) Justin Bailey needs more help."
Senior Jessica Virtue and junior Silvy Perkins lead the divers. Both qualified for state last year. Virtue placed 10th at state as a junior.
The city schools have four home meets scheduled, including Sunflower League on May 4-5 at Knox Natatorium. Free State is the host school for league.
Free State's new pool is scheduled to open next year.
"We can't wait to have our own pool," Crady said.
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