Free State hopeful as spring begins

Free State High senior athletes who will help lead their teams in spring competition are, back row from left, Matt Siler, golf; Ty Hartman and Kiara Clark, track; and Eliza Anderson, swim. Front row from left are David Neff, tennis; Emily Bermel, softball; Cooper Karlin, baseball; and Allyson Hertig, soccer.

There’s a lot of optimism around Free State High’s spring sports this year. Some hope to contend for a state championship, and one is looking to defend its state title.

Free State’s baseball team started its season last weekend, girls swimming kicks off today, and the track-and-field season begins Friday.

Here is a look at what all of the Firebirds’ programs expect out of the upcoming season.

Track

Free State’s girls track and field team has won two state championships in a row, and the Firebirds have no plans on stopping now.

The girls return plenty of star power from last year’s team, including the 3,200-meter defending state champion, sophomore Emily Venters. They also bring back state medalists seniors Gabbi Dabney (hurdles, high jump), Kiara Clark (hurdles) and Hannah Shoemaker (discus), and junior Claire Sanner (distance runner). Junior Callie Hicks and freshman Cameryn Thomas are also expected to make a big impact this year. The boys track-and-field team took 11th at state last year and is led by senior distance runner Ryan Liston, junior sprinter Ronald White and sophomore sprinter Avin Lane. The Firebirds also hope to get a boost from Tayvien Robinson, Zack Sanders and Avant Edwards.

“We are beginning with our largest team ever,” second-year coach Jordan Rose said. “So balancing time with each athlete and giving him or her the opportunity to excel will be our biggest challenge.”

Girls swimming

After finishing second at state the last two years, Free State’s girls swimming and diving team is looking to make the jump to first.

The Firebirds bring back North Carolina State-bound senior Courtney Caldwell, who owns state-meet records in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle. Rhode Island signee Eliza Anderson, Alexa Malik, Kat LeFever, Cierra Campbell, Sydney Sirimongkhon-Dyck, Anna McCurdy, Trenna Soderling, Kara Krannawitter, Carter Stacey, Simone Herlihy, Zoe Prather and senior diver Haley Johnson all return with state-meet experience.

Eighth-year coach Annette McDonald hopes to get contributions from newcomers junior diver Alexis Luinstra, sophomore Sydney Williams and freshmen Ava Cormaney, Courtney Crickshank, Hailei Detwiler, Piper Rogers, Janet Stefanov, Alvena Walpole and Lydia Zicker.

Baseball

Despite a young pitching staff, Free State’s baseball team has plenty of optimism heading into the season.

What’s the reason for the optimism?

“Good core of senior players who have demonstrated great leadership,” coach Mike Hill said. “Young pitching staff with a lot of potential for the future.”

The Firebirds opened the season with two wins in a doubleheader against Warrensburg last Friday and they return senior center fielder Joel Spain, senior second baseman Cooper Karlin, senior third baseman and pitcher Casey Hearnen, senior catcher Jon Saathoff, junior outfielder and pitcher Hunter Gudde, sophomore pitcher Parker Tietjen and sophomore outfielder Jacob Pavlyak.

Free State also hopes to get big seasons from infielders Mikey Corbett, Zion Bowlin and Marcileno Cortez, pitcher Trevor Munsch and outfielder Tripp Wright.

Softball

Free State’s softball team lost its two pitchers and the middle of the order from last year’s team that made it to the sub-state title game, but the Firebirds are confident there won’t be any steps backwards.

They return strong hitters, including first-team All-Sunflower League selections senior center fielder Emily Bermel and junior infielder Emily Byers. They also have senior shortstop Lily Ross and right fielder Kylie Cobb.

The Firebirds will also have seniors Amy Oelschlaeger, Alyssa Raye, Elyse Boxberger, Kayla Hoppe and Madison Harrell, while hoping to see big strides from Bri Burenheide, Mayah Daniels, Kate Stanwix, Hailey Jump, Dacia Starr and Peyton Brown.

“We’ll be inexperienced, but talent-wise I don’t think we’ll fall off very much,” coach Lee Ice said. “Pitching-wise I think we’ll be fine. There’s some uncertainty, but they’re capable.”

Boys golf

Free State’s boys golf team hasn’t had much time to practice because of the weather, but the Firebirds bring back plenty of experience from last season.

Junior Jack Flynn and sophomore Jack Junge earned spots at the state tournament, while seniors Matt Siler and Coleman Houk competed at regionals last year.

“All of them played in numerous tournaments over the summer and should be more consistent this season,” 10th-year coach Matt Gudenkauf said. “I do think Matt Siler is ready to have a great year. He has been with us since his freshman year and has consistently been improving.”

With limited practices, Gudenkauf wasn’t sure who else would be a part of the varsity rotation, but freshmen Will Cook and Tate Steele are capable of putting up good scores.

Girls soccer

After losing 17 seniors from last year’s team, Free State’s girls soccer team will have plenty of new faces roaming the field this spring.

But the Firebirds are still focused on winning plenty of games following last year’s 11-7 season, which ended in the regional championship.

They return sophomore forward Sabrea Platz, sophomore defender Molly Bryant, senior defender Lindsey Wethington, senior defender Allyson Hertig and senior forward Brooke Hayes.

Boys tennis

Free State’s boys tennis team didn’t qualify anyone for state last year, but the Firebirds hope that changes this season.

The Firebirds are led by senior David Neff, sophomore Ian Pultz-Earle and sophomore Seamus Ryan. They also hope to get a strong contribution from freshman Erik Czapinski.

“Even though we are a young team, we have a strong leader in our team captain, David Neff,” sixth-year coach Oather Strawderman said. “His extensive varsity experience will allow him to help out the young guys when the going gets tough.”