Manhattan ? They share the same name, same swimming game and a lifelong friendship. But today, Free State High’s Ashley Robinson and Ashley Jackson won’t be able to share a state swimming title at Kansas State Natatorium.

“It’s a little weird, but I think it will be fun,” said the sophomore, Jackson, who, for the first time since she was 12, will race against Robinson in the duo’s most dominant race — the 500-yard freestyle.

“We were joking about who will win,” the freshman, Robinson, said with a smile. “I was like, ‘You’re going to win.’ And then she said, ‘No, you’re going to win.'”

Free State coach Jama Crady doesn’t care who wins, because she said the Firebirds are in a win-win situation.

“They’ve known for about a week that this would probably happen,” Crady said. “They’ll finish 1-2 unless somebody else has a phenomenal race.”

That didn’t happen against either Ashley during Friday’s 500 preliminary.

While the two didn’t swim side-by-side, they shared again … this time the same lane.

Jackson went first in lane No. 4, taking the field with a time of 5:13.61. Robinson ripped off an even faster clocking in 5:09.80.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Jackson said. “Both of us want to win, but we’ll be right there next to each other, pushing the other one on.”

Free State High's Ashley Robinson, left, jokes with fellow Firebird Ashley Jackson, right, and Topeka Washburn Rural's Erin Kessler. The two Firebirds qualified 1-2 in the 500 freestyle Friday at Kansas State Natatorium in Manhattan.

Not only did both Ashley’s qualify for the championship finals in the 500, each also made the finals in their other individual events and paced both of the Firebirds’ consolation-qualifying relay teams.

“It’s really special because we share so much together anyway,” said Robinson, who finished second in the 200-yard individual medley, while Jackson took third in the 200 individual medley. “Most people just think it’s our names, but we’ve been really close friends forever.”

The 500 wasn’t just a Free State favorite. Lawrence High’s Melissa Little also made it to the finals of today’s championship races — competition begins at noon today — taking fifth with a time of 5:22.61.

“We had some really good times and some not so great times,” LHS coach Ryan Adams said. “Overall it was a pretty good day, but we hope to do better tomorrow.”

Other Lawrence High qualifiers for the consolation finals included Melissa Little in the 200 freestyle, Sarah Marlow in the 200 individual medley, Megan Little and Julia Szabo in the 100 butterfly and all three relay squads. LHS diver Ellie Lloyd took 12th in the diving preliminaries.

In addition to the Ashleys and Lions’ Melissa Little, Firebird Lindsey Witthaus also found a way to get into the 500, earning a spot in the consolation finals with a 16th-place finish.

While Crady says whoever is most motivated most likely will win the 500, she’s found a way they both can win — a tie.

“Yeah, that would be great,” Crady said. “But unfortunately unrealistic.

“Both of them know that while they are swimming for themselves, tomorrow they’re scoring points for a team and trying to help the Firebirds finish high.”

Robinson echoed her coach’s words.

“It doesn’t matter who wins, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” she said.

But Jackson chose the calmer waters.

“A tie … I like that idea,” she said, smiling.