This school year was a rarity for Lawrence High.

No team or individual won a state title — though the Lions came awfully close.

The boys cross country team finished second at the Class 6A state meet after snaring Sunflower League and regional titles; boys golf claimed the regional title; girls basketball had its best season in more than 10 years; and the boys track squad won regionals. And there was a spate of individual state runner-ups, most in track and field.

Who were they?

Read on. A recap of the 2002-03 school year follows.

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Football: The Lions had their best record in seven seasons, finishing 8-3 and earning a spot in the state playoff quarterfinals. Senior Brandon McAnderson, headed to Kansas University, and senior Derrick Newman were chosen All-Sunflower League on offense and defense.

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Volleyball: The Lions struggled early, but tripled their win total from 2001. They were 12-26 and reached the sub-state final.

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Cross country: The LHS boys were ranked No. 1 for most of the season, won league and regional titles and finished second at state. Senior Dylan McClain won the league title and was sixth at state, while senior Andy Struble won the regional crown. The girls were second at regionals and sixth at state.

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Girls tennis: Senior doubles team of Abby and Sarah Olsen were the only state qualifiers, placing second at regionals and finishing the season 12-9.

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Gymnastics: Senior Molly Hoss paced the Lions to sixth at league and fifth at state. She was ninth in the state all-around, ninth on the bars and third on the beam.

Lawrence High athletes, from left, Chris Fulton, Cherrale Ricks, Brandon McAnderson and Audrey Pope, provided Lions fans with numerous highlights during the 2002-2003 school year.

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Boys soccer: The Lions tied Free State, 1-1 in double overtime, earlier in the season, but the Firebirds ended the Lions’ year with a 3-1 loss at regionals. Senior Josh Yurek was named all-state for the 2-14-1 Lions.

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Girls golf: Freshman Sydney Wilson was third at league, second at regionals and 21st at state as the Lions’ only state qualifier.

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Girls basketball: The Lions had their best season since winning the state title in 1992. They were 15-6, won nine straight games, finished third in the league standings and beat Free State three times. Juniors Cherrale Ricks and Josie Polk both were named all-league.

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Boys basketball: LHS had its first losing record under third-year coach Chris Davis, finishing 8-13.

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Boys swimming: Junior John Gatti was second at state and won league, while sophomore Nick Leet was second at league. LHS finished ninth at league and 22nd at state.

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Wrestling: New coach Mark Dulgarian notched a dual win against Free State. Senior Aaron Madill went 41-1, winning league and regional titles, finishing third at state and breaking school records for wins and takedowns.

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Girls soccer: LHS finished 3-12-1 in Keith Nelson’s third year as coach. He officially resigned his position following the season.

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Baseball: The Lions started the season 7-0 and were ranked No. 2 for half the year and ended the season with a share of the league title. A strong pitching rotation of seniors Ryan Rowland, Spence Chaney, Taylor Martin and Madill propelled them to a 16-5 season, which ended with a 5-1 loss to Free State in the regional final.

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Softball: For the second straight year, LHS lost to Manhattan in the regional final, 2-1 in extra innings. The Lions were 12-10 and led by freshman Drew Huff, the team’s lone All-Sunflower League honoree.

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Boys golf: The Lions logged another trip to the state tournament after winning the regional title at Eagle Bend, while senior Thomas Fulbright won the individual regional title. LHS was eighth at state, with senior Zach Blevins finishing 13th.

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Girls swimming: LHS was fourth at league, with senior Sarah Marlow placing second in the 100 breaststroke. The Lions were 13th at state. Sophomore Melissa Little had their highest finish — fourth place in the 500-yard freestyle.

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Boys tennis: University of Iowa bound-senior Scott Elwell took fifth at state and finished 28-5.

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Track: The boys were second at league, won the regional team title and finished seventh at state, while the girls were fourth at league and regionals and 12th at state. League champs included senior Chris Fulton (100 and 200), Derrick Newman (shot put), Dylan McClain (3,200), Mag Obiefule (discus) and the boys 4×800 relay. Fulton, McClain and senior Audrey Pope just missed state titles by less than one second each.