Andrea Hemphill’s swimming career in Lawrence came to an end on Saturday but not before she left something for everyone to remember her by.

The senior not only blew out the competition in her two individual races, the 50 and 100 freestyle, and helped lead Lawrence to a fourth-place finish in the Sunflower League meet at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, but she also set a personal-best time of 53.66 in the 100.

Video: Sunflower Girls’ Swim Meet highlights

“I’m really happy about how I did in my last home meet,” said Hemphill, who will swim at Iowa next year. “That I could go out and get the best time I’ve ever had is really special.”

It was a special day for both city schools. Free State finished right behind the Lions in the standings, taking fifth in the 11-team meet with 117 points. Lawrence scored 151 points. The two top-five finishes were the best ever combined performance for city schools at the Sunflower League meet.

“I’m very pumped that we both competed the way we did. Everyone did well,” said FSHS freshman Ashley Jackson, who won both the 200 and 500 freestyles. “Even though we’re different teams, we’re still from the same city. We’re together. We like to beat them sometimes, but we’re friends, too.”

Friends on both teams had plenty of reasons to be happy Saturday. In addition to Hemphill’s and Jackson’s performances, several other Lions and Firebirds had noteworthy days.

Free State senior Kelli Criswell, who will swim at Truman State next year, took fifth in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly and helped lead the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams to top-five finishes.

“We came out and swam very well today,” Free State coach Jama Crady said. “Everyone improved in almost every single race. I think we did a little better than I think we even expected we would.”

Jackson said she felt great about her races and eagerly welcomed the challenge of state.

“I was the fastest I’ve ever been,” she said. “I’ve improved almost every meet in my eight years of swimming. I think I’m very prepared for state and I hope things will go much like they went here, that I’ll swim well and compete well.”

While it was Hemphill who provided most of the Lions’ drama, it was diver Sarah Fisher who gave LHS coach Ryan Adams his biggest surprise when she took 11th in diving.

“Sarah Fisher was great. Scoring any points in diving always helps,” Adams said. “We weren’t expecting that. This is by far her highest placing.”

Sisters Megan and Melissa Little each had a top-five finish. Megan took fourth in the 100 butterfly, and Melissa finished fourth in the 500 freestyle and sixth in the 200 freestyle.

Lawrence High's Andrea Hemphill takes a breath during the 100 freestyle. Hemphill won the event at the Sunflower League swimming and diving meet on Saturday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

Senior Sarah Marlow snagged two third-place finishes in the 100 breaststroke and the 500 freestyle.

But Marlow was quick to point the praise back at Hemphill.

“She’s really talented and has done a lot for our team,” Marlow said. “But she also encourages our team and helps to keep everyone positive. She’s very team-orientated.”

While Hemphill had a record-setting day, she actually has had a better finish in the 100 freestyle.

She swam a 52.40 a year-and-a-half ago for the Lawrence Aquahawks, her club team.

That came when she took a year away from high school competition to concentrate on improving on her individual events.

While Hemphill said that it was a good decision, she was elated to be finishing her senior year wearing LHS colors.

“I think it was worth it,” she said with a smile. “It’s my senior year and it’s a lot of fun getting to compete for your high school. It’s a chance you only have for a few years in your life and something you’ll always remember.”

Team scores

Shawnee Mission East 278 1/2, Olathe East 273, Shawnee Mission Northwest 220, Lawrence 151, Free State 117, Olathe South 70, Olathe North 68, Shawnee Mission South 61, Shawnee Mission North 53 1/2, Shawnee Mission West 49, Leavenworth 34.

Individual Results

200 Medley Relay 1. SMNW, 1:53.63; 2. SME, 1:58.20; 3. LHS (Andrea Hemphill, Sarah Marlow, Julia Szabo, Melissa Little), 1:58.29; 4. OE, 1:59.59; 5. FS (Kaetlin Karlin, Lisa Cloar, Kelli Criswell, Ashley Jackson), 2:01.81; 6. ON, 2:05.78.

Free State's Ashley Jackson leaves the blocks for the 500 freestyle. Jackson won the event at the Sunflower League swimming and diving meet on Saturday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

200 Free 1. Ashley Jackson, FS, 1:56.67; 2. Margo Newcomer, SME, 1:56.77; 3. Amanda Sheridan, 2:01.69; 4. Jill Courtney, OE, 2:01.83; 5. Kelli Criswell, FS, 2:02.02; 6. Melissa Little, LHS, 2:03.31.

200 IM 1. Lauren Neff, SMNW, 2:15.03; 2. Katie Kinkenborg, SME, 2:15.60; 3. Sierra Slavin, SMNW, 2:19.62; 4. Jessica Miller, SMW, 2:20.09; 5. Michelle Grigware, OE, 2:20.45; 6. Kali McKay, OE, 2:22.41; 7. Julia Szabo, LHS, 2:21.32; 9. Kaetlin Karlin, FS, 2:23.28; 12. Beth Sheeley, LHS, 2:27.05.

50 Free 1. Andrea Hemphill, LHS, 24.88; 2. Kristi Hansen, SMNW, 25.32; 3. (tie) Ashley Leidigh, SMN, and Katie Bigger, SMNW, 25.59; 5. Jenny Short, ON, 25.78; 6. Nicole Cirulis, OE, 26.52.

Diving 1. Madison Palmer, OE, 420.10; 2. Camille Drigans, OE, 373.30; 3. (tie) Emily Eddins, SME, and Carrie Yeast, SME, 325.55; 5. Lauren Wells, SMS, 304.20; 6. Lacy Ritzman, SMW, 302.80; 11. Sarah Fisher, LHS, 237.70.

100 Fly 1. (tie) Katie Bigger, SMNW, and Christie Fuchs, SME, 59.38; 3. Nicole Cirulis, OE,

1:01.68; 4. Megan Little, LHS, 1:03.06; 5. Kelli Criswell, FS, 1:03.50; 6. Jamie Warner, SME, 1:03.58; 8. Julia Szabo, LHS, 1:02.76.

100 Free 1. Andrea Hemphill, LHS, 53.66; 2. Kristi Hansen, SMNW, 54.52; 3. Amanda Sheridan, OS, 56.09; 4. Ashley Leidigh, SMN, 56.14; 5. Jill Courtney, OE, 57.29; 6. Naseem Nikaeen, OE, 57.32.

500 Free 1. Ashley Jackson, FS, 5:12.37; 2. Christie Fuchs, SME, 5:15.26; 3. Sarah Marlow, LHS, 5:16.46; 4. Melissa Little, LHS, 5:22.50; 5. Megan Hearn, OE, 5:25.94; 6. Brittany Smith, OE, 5:35.00.

200 Free Relay 1. SME, 1:43.74; 2. OE, 1:43.97; 3. SMNW, 1:46.58; 4. FS (Ashley Jackson, Kaetlin Karlin, Brenna Graham, Kelli Criswell), 1:47.25; 5. LHS (Melissa Little, Megan Little, Julia Szabo, Sarah Marlow), 1:48.35; 6. Leavenworth, 1:50.94.

100 Back 1. Margo Newcomer, SME, 1:00.42; 2. Jenny Short, ON, 1:02.45; 3. Stephanie Corry, SMNW, 1:03.36; 4. Katie Kinkenborg, SME, 1:04.74; 5. Dottie Bayless, SME, 1:04.87; 6. Maegan Miller, OE, 1:07.03; 8. Jamie Milligan, LHS, 1:08.07.

100 Breast 1. Lauren Neff, SMNW, 1:07.47; 2. Naseem Nikaeen, OE, 1:12.66; 3. Sarah Marlow, LHS, 1:13.28; 4. Michelle Grigware, OE, 1:13.94; 5. Laura Seidel, SME, 1:14.65; 6. Hannah Munsch, SME, 1:15.35; 10. Lisa Cloar, FS, 1:16.73; 11. Julie McGrinn, FS, 1:17.08.

400 Free Relay 1. SMNW, 3:43.52; 2. SME, 3:45.41; 3. OE, 3:47.34; 4. OS, 4:03.52; 5. ON, 4:06.76; 6. SMS, 4:06.95; 7. FS (Julie McGrinn, Emmie Caplan, Becki Young, Shanna Felts), 4:10.16.