Free State's Alexa Harmon-Thomas wins the 300-meter hurdles Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Kansas Relays.

Free State High freshman Alexa Harmon-Thomas found herself in an unusual position midway through her 300 hurdles race at the Kansas Relays on Friday.

Trailing.

Two seniors from Missouri battled for the lead coming into the final 100 meters.

“I knew I was behind about halfway through, and I just tried to make up as much ground as I could,” Harmon-Thomas said.

Harmon-Thomas came back to win the heat, and her time of 44.01 seconds was the fastest in any of the six heats.

Her performance was one of several stellar showings by Free State and Lawrence High athletes Friday.

LHS junior Blake Hocking won the shot put, and the Lions’ 4×100-meter relay team qualified for the Sunflower Showdown for the first time since 2006. Free State’s distance medley relay teams both finished third.

Harmon-Thomas’ time is the fastest high school time in Kansas this season. It’s also the 15th-fastest time in Kansas high school history and two seconds faster than her previous personal record.

“Plus, it’s a race she’s only ran a half-dozen times,” FSHS coach Steve Heffernan said.

Harmon-Thomas qualified for the finals in the 100-meter hurdles today and finished third in the high jump. She’ll also compete in the long jump today.

Heffernan said Harmon-Thomas has the potential to get better in every event in which she competes.

Hocking certainly has room to improve in the shot put.

His throw of 59 feet, 8.75 inches set a personal record, but a bruised foot is limiting his ability to generate power. The injury happened two weeks ago when another athlete’s shot struck his foot.

“I’ve got a lot left in the tank,” Hocking said.

LHS coach Jack Hood said he’s glad Hocking wasn’t completely satisfied with the victory and personal record.

“Winning KU Relays isn’t his goal,” Hood said. “Breaking a school record and winning a state title are his goals. This is just a step toward that.”

The Lawrence High 4×100-meter relay team also took a step forward Friday, qualifying for the Sunflower Showdown.

Injuries have limited the team’s ability to work together in practice. In fact, this week was the first time the runners have had a full week of practice together.

The team — seniors Chris Gaston, Austin Flory and Trent Edwards and sophomore Asaph Jewsome — posted a time of 44.18, a half-second better than its best time so far this season.

“We’re finally getting back in the flow,” Edwards said.

Hood said the relay team works extremely hard to improve.

“I think they’re jelling at the right time,” Hood said. “This is the fastest we’ve run it in a long time. Hopefully they get better tomorrow.”

Athletes from Free State and Lawrence will compete again Saturday. Events start at 8 a.m.