Welcome back, Andrea.

Andrea Hemphill, a University of Iowa signee, has returned to the Lawrence High girls swimming team after devoting last year to her Aquahawks club team.

LAWRENCE HIGH's BETH SHEELY, LEFT, and Free State High Kelli Criswell are ready for their senior season. The city swimmers open today at Emporia.

“It’s her senior year and I think she missed being a part of the team,” second-year LHS coach Ryan Adams said. “I think a big part of it is that she wants to get a couple of school records. I’m glad she came out.”

The Lions and Free State open the season today at Emporia.

Hemphill earned two medals at the state meet as a sophomore, placing fourth in the 100 butterfly and second in the 200 individual medley.

Hemphill, Beth Sheely (500 freestyle, 200 freestyle) Morgan Hill (distance), Megan Little (100 butterfly), Sarah Ball (individual medley, breaststroke) and Elspeth Legler (breaststroke) provide most of the experience for LHS, Adams said.

“I’m so pleased that a lot of the swimmers from last year are back out and a lot of them brought their friends,” said Adams, who has 40 girls out for swimming.

Katy McCabe and Katie Kornburst are Lawrence’s divers.

FSHS to break in pool

Free State will use the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center plenty this spring.

For the first time in five years, FSHS won’t have to travel to Knox Natatorium at LHS for practice. The Firebirds will swim at the Aquatic Center, which opened last summer, on the FSHS campus this spring and has four home meets scheduled, including the Sunflower League competition on May 3-4.

“I like it so far,” second-year LHS coach Jama Crady said. “It’s really nice to not have to drive across town. They’ve already challenged the baseball team to water polo.”

Senior Kelli Criswell leads the Firebirds. At state last year, she placed fifth in the 200 freestyle and third in the 500 free.

“She’s looking good,” Crady said. “She’s asked to swim the butterfly and that’s turning out to be a strong event for her.”

Criswell and Brenna Graham (sprint freestyles, breaststroke) are team captains. Lisa Cloar (breaststroke, individual medley) and Shanna Felts are co-captains.

Katelin Karlin and Emmie Caplan are also back for the Firebirds.

“We should be pretty good across the board,” Crady said. “We’re not a very big team, but we’ll be fine.”

Ashley Jackson, a freshman standout from Southwest Junior High, will join the Firebirds after spring break in a couple of weeks.

“She’s a great Aquahawk swimmer,” Crady said.

Free State’s home opener is April 9.