It seems the state high school sports landscape continues to be tweaked ever so gradually as the days pass.

The addition of bowling as a Kansas State High School Activities Assn.-sponsored sport last week was the latest in the line of changes, but it might not be the last.

Now circulating in the high school athletics rumor mill is the possible relocation of the boys and girls swimming seasons. The boys swim season is in the winter, with the girls in the spring.

It might not stay that way for long.

Missouri already has approved moving its girls swim season to the winter, and the boys to the fall, starting in the 2006-07 school year. It appears the issue will be brought up among Kansas athletic directors.

Free State High AD Steve Grant said a regional meeting would take place in October, with the issue of swim seasons likely being discussed. If a majority of athletic directors approve, the motion would go to the KSHSAA for voting in the spring.

“If a majority of athletic directors approve it, they generally approve it,” Grant said.

The possible move — which wouldn’t take place until 2006 — looked to be beneficial for girls, who currently have just one option in the winter for sports — basketball. The boys season could cause a little more controversy, though, since swimming in the fall would conflict with cross country and soccer.

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More on bowling: Though details still are being worked out regarding varsity bowling in the Sunflower State, Lawrence High and Free State, for now, plan to have team tryouts in mid-December, with competition beginning the week of Jan. 10, 2005.

“We’ve got a bowling schedule,” Grant said, “but now that the activities association has approved it, I’m not sure if our dates will change a little bit.”

Currently, Lawrence and Free State will compete against each other and the four Olathe schools, which started bowling last year. More could be added, though, if the Shawnee Mission schools jump aboard because of the new varsity-sport status.

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Brewer out: The Lawrence High boys soccer team took a major hit last week when senior Jake Brewer tore an anterior cruciate ligament during warmups for Lawrence’s game against Olathe North.

Brewer’s high school soccer career was cut short, but it still was quite decorated. As a junior, Brewer was a Class 6A all-state selection and came into his senior year regarded as one of the top returning players in Kansas.

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Gymnasts coming home: Due to the cancellation of the Lee’s Summit (Mo.) North Invitational, city gymnastics coach Kathy Johnson has been scrambling for an alternative.

Now, Lawrence High and Free State will take matters into their own hands. A home meet at FSHS has been scheduled at the last minute for noon Saturday. It features LHS, Free State, Newton, Hutchinson and Emporia.

Saturday’s meet will be one of the few times to see the city’s top gymnasts — including Free State’s Sindra Schueler and Lawrence’s Mallory West — at home. After Saturday, only one more meet will take place in town — the LHS All-Around on Oct. 4.