Based on success in the Sunflower League, Lawrence High experienced its best sports year since the city’s second high school, Free State, opened in 1997.

The Lions captured league titles in boys cross country, boys basketball, boys golf and baseball.

State champions from city high schools during the 2001-2002 school year (clockwise from top) were Lawrence High swimmer Andrea Hemphill, LHS long jumper Sylvester Birdsong, Free State 800-meter runner Justin White, Free State tennis player Emily Wang and Free State's 3,200-meter relay team of Hiral Bhakta, Eric Southard, Nick Ens and Adrian Ludwig.

LHS boys cross country, ranked No. 1 for most of the fall, placed second at the Class 6A state meet at Rim Rock for the highest postseason finish for Lion teams. LHS baseball placed third at the state tournament in Maize for the Lions’ other postseason plaque.

Here’s a look back at the 2001-2002 year in LHS sports:

Football: LHS finished 5-4, falling to Free State High 16-0 in the second week of district, spoiling the Lions’ bid to return to the state playoffs. Junior Brandon McAnderson rushed for 704 yards and 11 touchdowns to lead LHS.

Girls tennis: Maria Salcedo, fourth at regional, was the lone state qualifier for LHS.

Girls golf: Senior Leslie Short, the Lions’ No. 1 player, missed qualifying for state by one placing.

Cross country: Junior Dylan McClain placed second and senior Justin Riley finished ninth to lead LHS to a second-place finish at state. McClain was a league and regional champion. Senior Sarah Butler led the Lawrence girls, placing 27th at state.

Volleyball: A year after winning league, LHS finished with a 4-31 record, the worst in program history.

Boys soccer: LHS finished 6-11, including a 2-1 decision over Free State.

Girls gymnastics: Allison Wright placed 18th and Molly Hoss 19th in all-around competition at state. Hoss was the top placer in an individual event, finishing sixth in floor exercise.

Boys basketball: Led by league player of year Stephen Vinson and fellow guard D.J. Watkins, LHS finished 18-5, captured a league crown for the first time since 1986 and qualified for state for the first time since 1995.

Girls basketball: In her first year as LHS head coach, Kristin Mallory posted a 9-13 record and guided the Lions to a second-place finish at the Firebird Winter Classic and a spot in the sub-state final.

Wrestling: Kenny Poeverlein II placed fifth to lead the Lions at state. Aaron Madill was a league champ and Chris Hultine a regional champ for LHS. Lion head coach Jeff Tummons announced his resignation following the season after four years guiding the Lions.

Boys swimming and diving: Senior John Armstrong won the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle at league and sophomore John Gatti was a league champ in diving. At state, Armstrong placed fourth in the 100 butterfly and sixth in the 100 freestyle. Gatti placed third at state.

Baseball: With 14 players back from last year’s third-place state team, LHS again finished third at state with a 18-7 record. Outfielder Mike Morrell was named league player of the year.

Softball: LHS finished 10-12, ending the season with a 2-1 loss to Manhattan in the Class 6A regional final.

Girls soccer: In Keith Nelson’s second year as head coach, LHS finished 9-7-2, including nine shutouts, to set a school record for wins in a season and post the first winning record in program history.

Girls swimming and diving: Senior Andrea Hemphill won the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle in school-record times at the state meet.

Boys tennis: Scott Elwell took fifth at state and finished with a 23-7 record.

Track: Sylvester Birdsong (long jump), Dylan McClain (1,600 and 3,200), Scott Bellinger (high jump), Chris Fulton (100, 200), Mag Obiefule (shot put and discus) and Audrey Pope (300 hurdles) were league champs for LHS. Birdsong was the Lions’ lone state champion.

Boys golf: Sophomore Nathaniel Spencer won the individual title to help LHS win the Sunflower League tournament. Zach Blevins finished 11th at state to lead the LHS golfers, who placed fifth.