On days when workouts drag on, some Lawrence High swimmers look over at the Lionsâ two divers with envy.

ItâÂÂs easy too. Watching John Gatti and Nick Leet bounce on the board a few times, slip into the water, then get out and do it all over again looks like a pretty good gig.

Until a swimmer tries it.

âÂÂThe swimmers will give us a little bit of grief,â Gatti said. âÂÂBut when they come over and try a dive, they donâÂÂt snicker quite as much.âÂÂ

Maybe thatâÂÂs because the Lions have two of the better divers in the state. Gatti, a junior, was the Sunflower League champ and took third at the state meet last year.

When the boysâ swimming season begins next Thursday Ãi¿½” LHS plays host to Free State and Shawnee Mission South at 3:30 p.m. at the Karl Knox Natorium Ãi¿½” plenty will be expected of Gatti and the rest of the LHS squad. That is, if the Lions can reload.

They were third at league and sixth at the state meet, behind Gatti and 2002 graduate John Armstrong, who was the league champ in the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle, and placed among the top six in both events at state. He was one of five seniors that paced coach Alicia JacksonâÂÂs team, who hopes this year can as pleasant as the last.

âÂÂI thought at least top five for league, and then at state I thought top 10,â Jackson said. âÂÂSo it was a nice surprise.âÂÂ

Among the Lions Jackson said should shine are junior David Abreau, a transfer student from Brazil. HeâÂÂs strong in the backstroke, though heâÂÂll be used in just about every event.

âÂÂI think heâÂÂs going to be one of my clutch performers,â Jackson said.

Junior Ian Legler is the teamâÂÂs best in the breaststroke, while Karl Havener should come on strong in freestyle. Junior Harry Swartz, one of the Lionsâ top cross country runners, developed into a reliable distance swimmer at the end of last season, and could do so again.

While the Lions are looking to reload, FSHS coach Annette McDonald has the weapons on her squad. She just doesnâÂÂt get to use them until January.

The Firebirds were 22nd at state last year, but with Lawrence Aquahawks swimmers Adam Brunfeldt, Anthony Portella, Chris Sellon and Chris Wolff joining the team after the club season, FSHS will be tough.

And the rest of the team knows it.

âÂÂWeâÂÂve got four guys coming up in January that should give us a good chance to win league,â senior Justin Stein said.

All four were state qualifiers last year, and once they arrive, McDonald expects them to push the rest of the team in practice and when it comes to winning meets.

âÂÂTheyâÂÂll be placed strategically to help the team,â McDonald said.

So is there a downside to adding four more swimmers to a roster of 24, the most McDonaldâÂÂs had in two years as coach?

âÂÂIn one respect thatâÂÂs really good because IâÂÂll have every event filled,â she said. âÂÂBut not every kid gets to swim at every meet.âÂÂ

Still, itâÂÂs trade off sheâÂÂs willing to make.

Besides, she said the relays would be stronger because of it, and if Stein, freshman Spencer Flannigan and senior Seth Alford keep progressing, the Firebirds can develop into a deep, dominant team.

âÂÂTheyâÂÂll always be challenges,â McDonald said. âÂÂWe donâÂÂt have the depth right now, but I think IâÂÂm looking at a team with a lot of potential.âÂÂ