Free State High waited seven years for its first state championship.
The Firebirds might not have to be as patient for title No. 2.
"We're pretty strong still," said Free State swim coach Annette McDonald, whose team claimed the school's first state title in any sport February in Manhattan. "What's really nice is the swimmers who don't swim year-round have made a concerted effort to do extra work and offseason training to be ready for this year. We're pretty excited about it. It should be a good season."
McDonald was missing 10 seniors from last year's team, including standouts Alex Brunfeldt and Chris Wolff, when winter sports practices began Monday. But the Firebirds still have plenty of weapons. Seniors Anthony Portela and Chris Sellon and sophomore Chase Torgerson each brought home state championship medals last season, and senior Nathan Schriner and junior Spencer Flannigan also were members of the championship team.
Free State will have holes to fill, but McDonald has a deep roster. Freshmen Mitchell Moore and Danny Wolff -- both members of the Aquahawks program -- are two of the newcomers expected to contribute.
"It takes more than six to win league and state," McDonald said. "Depth makes a difference, and I think we have that."
l Lawrence High girls swim coach Ryan Adams, who had served as the assistant boys coach for seven years, now is in charge of both programs. Kent McDonald -- the husband of Free State's coach -- takes over the assistant's role.
Senior Nick Leet, who placed third in state diving last season, is the Lions' only returning state qualifier. Other returning seniors are Eric Marlow, Zach Colwell and Brian Workman. LHS will have improved depth with 25 swimmers, nearly twice as many as last season.
Boys basketball
Free State was a short, guard-dominated team in 2003 when the Firebirds finished 15-7.
Lawrence High basketball coach Kristen Mallory, left, watches as juniors Sydney Wilson, center, and Missy Vinyard play a one-on-one drill. City high schools began winter practices Monday. The Lions worked out at LHS.
"We're going to be just like we were last year," said coach Jack Schreiner, who is entering his eighth year at FSHS. "We're going to be small. The sophomores give us exactly the same thing."
Two senior starters return -- all-league guard Brady Morningstar and guard Sam Buhler.
"Those two we know can play. We have three other seniors I'm going to count on," Schreiner said, referring to guards Matt Green, Bobby Underwood and guard-forward Danny Pike. "After that, this is a very strong sophomore class, but we don't know who can help us yet. We're going to count on underclassmen more than we have in some time."
Junior guards Scott Heitshusen and Nick Ayre also are expected to contribute.
l Lawrence High coach Chris Davis enters his fifth season with six players who have starting experience -- senior center Tony Anderson, junior point guard Kristian Pope, senior guard Brennan Bechard, senior guard David Freeman, junior guard Tyler Knight and senior forward Ian Handshy.
"I really like the makeup of the team," said Davis, whose squad was 5-16 last season. "The key positions are filled with experience. Depth is a concern, but to have six kids back that have experience is a big plus for us."
6Sports video: High school basketball gears up for winterGirls basketball
At Lawrence High, senior post player Megan Klingler and junior guard Drew Huff are the only starters returning from last year's 14-8 squad.
Juniors Kayla Nolte, Lindsey Lawrence and Sydney Wilson will be counted on after splitting time between junior varsity and varsity last season. Senior Erin Kramer and Lacey Elmore are also expected to contribute. Guard Alex Harvey is the top player in the sophomore class.
l Free State returns three starters -- senior forward Jamie Stanclift, junior forward Banaka Okwuone and junior guard Trisha Dunham -- from last year's 8-12 team. Stanclift averaged 14 points and seven rebounds a game, and Okwuone led the Sunflower League with an average of 9.2 rebounds a game.
Free State girls basketball coach Bryan Duncan talks to his players during the first day of winter-sports practice. The Firebirds held their first practice Monday at FSHS.
Third-year coach Bryan Duncan isn't ready to name names, but he expects "two or three sophomores to fight for starting spots."
Wrestling
Lawrence High returns four state qualifiers -- junior Brendan Halpin (140), sophomore Chris Coons (103), junior Nolan Kellerman (145) and senior Pharouk Hussein (130). Junior Chris Cates qualified for state two years ago at 103.
l Free State returns five state qualifiers -- junior Mike Goble (119 pounds), sophomore Marc Somers (112), junior Jesse Hardy (189), junior K.J. Siebert (152) and senior Dale Sipple (140). Senior Alex Benson (125) also returns, though all those veterans could be moving up a weight class this winter.
"They're all heavier this year," coach Darrell Andrew said.
Three sophomores -- Kyle Weinmaster (171), Josh Fowler (152) and Shelton Hileman (140) also are expected to contribute.
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