City notebook: FSHS relishing swimming title

Don’t worry. Free State High athletic director Steve Grant is OK with clogging Free State’s Hall of Champions.

The wall — which contains plaques of individual state champions, as well as first-team all-state honorees in team sports — will get five new plaques thanks to a super day from the Firebird boys swimming and diving team.

In winning the team state title (plaque), the Firebirds saw two relays take first place in the championship finals: the 200 medley relay, which finished in a time of 1:40.46 (plaque); and the 400 freestyle relay, which finished first in a school-record time of 3:16.83 (plaque).

In addition, junior Anthony Portela was crowned state champ in the 100 butterfly (plaque), while senior Alex Brunfeldt set the state record in winning the 500 freestyle (plaque).

The 400 freestyle relay was one of several school records the Firebirds set Saturday, and perhaps it wasn’t coincidence.

“That tells you they were ready for the end of the season and putting it all together,” FSHS coach Annette McDonald said. “I’m so proud of the guys.”

Portela, Brunfeldt and junior Chris Sellon each were named first-team all-state for their contributions to Free State’s team title. Senior Chris Wolff was named a second-team honoree.

And, for being the first-ever team to win a state title in Free State’s seven-year history, a pep assembly honoring the squad will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the FSHS main gym.

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Sub-states shaping up: Sub-state basketball starts next week for Lawrence High’s and Free State’s boys and girls basketball teams.

The format this year has changed slightly. Both city schools are in the same eight-team pod, which also includes Olathe South, Olathe East, Olathe North, Overland Park Aquinas, Leavenworth and Topeka High.

This year, though, the top four seeds will play first-round games at home. The winners will play the sub-state finals at Olathe South, with a trip to the state tournament on the line.

On the boys side, Olathe South (17-1) and Free State (12-6) appear to be the top two seeds, with the other six in a pack. That said, even if the Firebirds slip this week, they likely will have a 7 p.m. home game March 4. Though it’s uncertain now, a fourth city showdown between FSHS and Lawrence High is a possibility for that game.

The girls side is more loaded. Aquinas, Olathe East, Olathe South, LHS, Leavenworth and Topeka High each sport winning records. At 16-1, Aquinas likely will be the top seed.

The first round for girls games will be Wednesday, March 3. The sub-state championship games are March 5 (girls) and March 6 (boys).

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Two Lions to sign: Lawrence High softball players Jennifer Narcomey and Danielle Huff will sign letters of intent March 11 to play softball at Johnson County CC next year. The two helped lead LHS to a 12-10 record last season.