Topeka ? It’s been a long road for Free State High swimmers Kara Mishler, Kayla Hedges, Adriane Black and Heather Clark.

Swimming in the shadows of four of the best swimmers in school history has made it difficult for the rest of the Free State roster to find its role. But because their dedication and commitment to the team is as strong as that of anyone to ever wear a Free State swim cap, the foursome made it a point to find their place.

Saturday, that place was the top of the podium, as Mishler, Hedges, Black and Clark teamed with Molly Albrecht, Reilly Moore, Chloe Portela and Morgan Flannigan to win the first girls state swimming championship in school history.

The fact that it came largely because of the points picked up by the Firebirds’ lesser-known swimmers only made it sweeter in the eyes of the standouts.

“They work so hard all the time and they deserve this so much,” Moore said of her teammates. “I’m so happy that they’re a part of this. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

While Free State’s top swimmers were busy racing past the competition in the championship finals, the rest of the team was doing the dirty work behind the scenes. Whether that meant gutting it out to move up one spot in the consolation finals or fighting through things such as injuries, illness, nerves and mouthfuls of water, they did it. Not for themselves. Not for the others. For the team.

“We’re all such good friends and we all support each other so much,” Hedges said. “Even though I didn’t make the finals in my events, I came into today thinking positive thoughts. I know that everyone counts, so I just went out and did the best I could.”

Hedges finished 10th in the 500 free (5:26.66) and 11th in the 200 free (1:59.72) on Saturday, picking up 26 critical points for the team.

To put it in perspective, Flannigan swam times of 5:01.85 in the 500 free and 1:53.69 in the 200 free, but nobody cared about the 25 seconds in between times. It was all about the points.

Black picked up 14 points for the team on Saturday, finishing 12th in the 500 free (5:30.08) and 15th in the 200 IM (2:17.47).

Togther, they joined Clark and Moore on the 200 free relay team that finished fourth — by breaking a school record — and essentially turned the lights out on Olathe Northwest’s chances.

Not once all season did these girls feel sorry for themselves for missing out on headlines or finishing closer to the middle of the pack than the top. They worked just as hard as their teammates, and they knew that, someday, their hard work would pay off.

“I wouldn’t really say we’ve been living in their shadows,” Mishler said. “We support each other so much all the time and we’ve just had the most fun season.”

Added Black: “We’re basically like a huge family.”

The aftermath of Saturday’s meet had a family feel to it. From the dozens of Free State supporters who filled the bleachers to the hugs and smiles that would not quit, it was clear that everything that every one of the Firebirds did on Saturday contributed mightily to their state title.

That included senior co-captain Diana Torgerson, who missed out on making the finals in the one-meter diving but did not miss out on the celebration.

“Everyone on this team plays a big role,” Clark said. “Whether you place first or 16th, those points matter.”

Added Free State coach Annette McDonald: “Those other girls made a difference. If just one person was missing, we wouldn’t have done it.”