Lawrence High senior Emily Schwartz is high jumping where she left off at the end of last season.
Two weeks into practice, Schwartz already has cleared 5 feet, 2 inches, which was her second-place mark at the Class 6A state track and field meet last May.
"She's bubbling with enthusiasm," seventh-year LHS track coach Jerry Skakal said. "She jumped 5-2 in practice the other day. She's done some things in preparation for this year that she didn't do last year. She's been in weight training this semester. She's made a commitment. She wants to go to college and jump."
BOYS
Seniors: Ronnie Bruce, Brian Collins, Jason Dillon, Nick Hirschey, C.J. Kie, Devin McAnderson, Lalo Miller, Brandon Stoker, Timothy Williams.
Juniors: Jon Albers, Adam Beals, Brian Bondurant, Kyle Coleman, Kyle Fowler, John Todd Gammill, Cuyler Halpin, Ian Higgins, John Jefferson, Zack Kohl, Anthony LeRoux, Chad Lisher, Cameron Marsh, Richard Mumford, Greg Nixon, Mike Pilshaw, Jared Riley, Justin Riley, Danny Weaverling, Jonathan Willis.
Sophomores: Jonathan Affalter, Allen Barker, Chad Barker, Scott Bellinger, Bobby Brubaker, Twynnin Brown, Jacob Butler, Christopher Cain, Bryan Cargill, Kevin Coulter, Ben DeGrand, Michael Dunbar, Deshon Frye-Kerr, Chris Fulton, Bryan Heyer, Ryan Heyer, Michael Hicks, Brandon McAnderson, Dylan McClain, Justin Newell, Adam Payne, Jason Russell, Brian Seymour, Michael Shackleford, James Sparkes, Andy Struble, James Micah Thomas, Bryce Wilson, Brandon Womack, Charles Woods, John Zehr.
GIRLS
Seniors: Katie Bell, Catherine Ross, Emily Schwartz, Becky Wenger, Annie Willoughby.
Juniors: Mandy Amyx, Erin Baker, Alicia Bonds, Sarah Butler, Jennifer Donnelly, Hallie Fitzgerald, Billie Kaufman, Jessie Landers, Lisa Lewin, Freda Neal, Rebecca Raynes, Rachel Severance.
Sophomores: Erin Bennett, Erin Chaput, Sara Coon, Lauren Davis, Megan Davis, Leigh DeBiasse, Jessica Foster, Bryn Gardner, Lindsay Garito, Kirsten Hickey, Heather Hinshaw, Kristen Jarboe, Elizabeth Kincaid, Shari Lassiter, Miriam Lee, Morgan McMichael, Mag Obiefule, Audrey Pope, Barbara Reliford, Sarah Richardson, Betty Tran, Amanda Umholtz, Katherine VanAlstine.
Head coach: Jerry Skakal (seventh year).
Assistants: Chip Anderson, Cheryl Hamilton, Ryan Jenkins, Bill Kelly, Scott Stidham.
Schedule
MARCH
15 Topeka West Relays at Highland Park. 27 Leavenworth. 30 at Blue Valley Northwest.
APRIL
12 at Manhattan. 19 LHS quad. 20-21 at KU Relays. 27 at Topeka Seaman.
MAY
4 at SM North Relays. 11 Sunflower League at SM North. 18 regional. 25-26 state at Wichita.
Schwartz is the top returner for the Lions, who open the season on Thursday at the Topeka West Relays at Highland Park.
"Things are coming together," Skakal said. "The kids are working hard and we have a lot of kids out. We'll spend a month trying to figure out who our varsity team is."
LHS has 67 boys and 46 girls out for track. Sophomores dominate the roster with 31 on the boys' side and 23 on the girls' side.
Sophomore Dylan McClain is the top returner for the LHS boys. He placed fourth at state in the 3,200-meter run (9:55.0) to help the Lions place fourth in the team standings.
McClain, Justin Riley, Brian Collins and Adam Beals anchor the Lions' distance corps.
"We should have a good, strong distance crew," Skakal said. "We're not sure what we have for middle distance. We want to make a contender out of the 4x800."
Another returning state qualifier for the boys is senior Ronnie Bruce, who pole vaulted 12-1 to reach state. Bruce and senior Tim Williams lead the LHS vaulters.
Sophomore Chris Fulton heads the LHS sprinters. He went to state last year as a member of the 4x100 relay.
"Fulton is a legitimate sprinter," Skakal said. "He is state caliber."
On the girls' side, senior Katie Bell is the top returning thrower. She qualified for state in the javelin last spring.
Skakal expects several underclassmen to contribute this spring.
"We have some young kids who have some athletic ability," he said. "I like the way things have started and I like their attitude. It's been positive so far."
The Lions have two home meets scheduled a dual March 27 against Leavenworth and a quadrangular on April 19.
Coaching assignments for the LHS staff are Skakal (javelin, pole vault, 4x100), Scott Stidham (sprints, hurdles), Chip Anderson (middle distance runners), Cheryl Hamilton (long and triple jump), Bill Kelly (throws), Ryan Jenkins (high jump) and student teacher Kent McDonald (distance runners).
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