It was like a year-long surprise birthday party in 2004-05 for Lawrence High.

Whether it was teams making late-season surges or contributions coming from fresh-faced newcomers, there were plenty of reasons for optimism for next year.

Baseball

The Lions showed vast improvements under first-year coach Brad Stoll after stumbling out of the gates early. They had key victories against Sunflower League opponents, including Shawnee Mission East and SM Northwest, which both made the Class 6A state tournament. The Lions will return a talented, young team next spring.

Boys Basketball

The senior-laden squad went 15-8, earned a trip to state and provided excitement along the way. The Lions were propelled by a late-season stunner over No. 1-ranked Free State, and pretty much cruised from there behind seniors Brennan Bechard and Tony “Big Smooth” Anderson. Coach Chris Davis loses all but one starter to graduation, and will have to build around senior-to-be Tyler Knight next season.

Girls Basketball

Kristin Mallory’s team came so close to state she could taste it, before falling to Olathe East and finishing 12-8. Senior Megan Klingler led LHS in scoring by dominating around the basket. The Lions return three starters and will have a deeper bench.

Bowling

Freshman Tiffany Demaline highlighted the first-year program by being the state’s inaugural individual girls’ champion. Oh yeah, she had a perfect game along the way, too.

Cross Country

The LHS girls – especially freshmen Kelly Renfro, Jennifer Taylor and Kristina Taylor – made major noise down the stretch.

Football

The Lions finished 5-6 after a sectional loss to Olathe South in overtime. After an 0-3 start, the Lions’ turnaround was sparked by an improved defense and the traditional running game, which was in peak form as the offensive line matured. Nolan Kellerman returns after gaining 430 yards and seven touchdowns on 99 carries.

Boys Golf

The Lions did not qualify a golfer for state.

Girls Golf

Junior Sydney Wilson had another notable campaign, winning league and regional tournaments and finishing third at state. Wilson will have one more chance at an elusive state title.

Gymnastics

Kathy Johnson’s crew had the best year of anyone at 19th and Louisiana. The Lions won state, and unveiled freshman Mallory West, who should be a standout for the next three years.

Boys Soccer

The Lions went 2-15 under coach David Platt, though they nearly pulled a shocker in sub-state against Free State.

Girls Soccer

Coach Jason Clark made a big difference right off the bat, and the season was highlighted by a 1-0, double-overtime victory against the Firebirds. Megan Johnson, Abby Vestal and Jenica Wessels will be key returners next spring.

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Softball

Reenie Stogsdill’s team sputtered a bit toward the end of the season, finishing 10-11 with a sub-state loss to Free State. Stogsdill will lose senior pitcher Whitney Juneau, but a solid core, led by shortstop Drew Huff, will return.

Boys Swimming

Freshmen Zach Henderson and Alex Boyer joined senior diver Nick Leet on the trip to state.

Girls Swimming

Senior Melissa Little, a Northern Iowa signee, made a splash at state this spring along with freshman diver Mallory West, who took fourth.

Boys Tennis

The Lions did not qualify anyone for state, but senior duo Tommy Johnson and Rahul Gogineni made a competitive doubles pairing toward the end of the season.

Girls Tennis

LHS finished fourth at the Sunflower League meet, and doubles pair Katie Robertson and Shannon Wanna, who will play together at Grinnell College next year, made state.

Track

Senior Ramin Zangeneh won the state pole vault title last weekend, and junior thrower Scott Penny, who was a standout at the league meet, will be back. The girls team was bolstered late in the season with ninth-grade additions Jennifer Taylor, Kristina Taylor and Sue Schwartz, and will have high expectations next year.

Wrestling

The Lions won the Sunflower League title, barely edging Free State, and Kellerman became the first individual state champ at Lawrence High since Ken McGovern, now the Douglas County Sheriff, in 1978.

Volleyball

The Lions were the Cinderella story of the fall, advancing to the state title game as the eighth-seed before falling to Washburn Rural. The Lions lose seven seniors, as well as head coach Jo Huntsinger who retired. Former LHS assistant Molly LaMere was promoted to head coach.