Lawrence High’s boys swimming squad sure enjoys competing at good old LHS.

The Lions placed second in their only home meet of the season, earning 311 points and winning three events. Topeka High took first with 457, Topeka West finished third with 259 and Olathe North had 143.

Junior diver Nick Leet won first place after posting a score of 292; his six dives ended with little splash and lots of applause.

“I just really wanted to come out and show everybody what I could do,” Leet said.

So far this season, Leet is the lone Lion to qualify for state competition — his third straight state appearance. He placed fourth last year, and that experience is something few Lions share.

“It’s a very young team, a lot of novices,” LHS coach Alicia Jackson said. “A lot of them are new to the sport, so it takes extra time working with them as far as the specifics.”

Three foreign-exchange students have given the club an international flair.

“They make practices quite a riot,” said senior Ian Legler, who won the 100 freestyle and was a member of the winning 200 freestyle relay team with Zach Colwell, Marcus Barnoskie and Vojtech Kamenicek.

Jose Fernandes (from San Luis, Brazil), Kamenicek (Brno, Czech Republic) and Andrey Belov (Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan) each are learning to swim competitively.

Lawrence High swimmer Martin Vertacnik works his backstroke during the 200 individual medley. The Lions placed second in a quad Thursday at LHS.

“I really enjoy it,” said Fernandes, who stays with Leet and his family. “The relationship that this group has — it’s going to be a part of my life forever.”

“We’re really proud to be a part of this team,” said Belov.

Despite the Lions’ inexperience, the squad’s veterans like what they see.

“We got a lot of young guys,” Legler said. “Hopefully they’ll stick with it and it’ll be a foreshadowing for years to come.”

LHS travels to Free State for a quad Wednesday.

FSHS swimmers soar

Free State High’s boys swimming squad routed Bonner Springs, 136-46, in a dual Thursday at Free State.

The Firebirds swept 1-3 places in the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, one-meter diving and the 500 freestyle. Alex Brunfeldt, Chris Sellon and Anthony Portela each won two events, and the 200 free team of Sellon, Bret Robinson, Andy Frye and Chase Torgerson qualified for the state tournament in a time of 1:38.11.

The Firebirds return to action in a home quad Wednesday.