Lawrence High athletes who will help lead their teams in spring competition are: from left, Brent Cahwee, boys golf; Alexandra Ginsberg, girls swimming; Keeli Billings, girls soccer; Jensen Edwards, girls track; Dearion Cooper, boys track; Elliott Abromeit, boys tennis; Kenzie Garvin, softball; Michael Sinks, baseball.

There’s a wide range of expectations for Lawrence High’s spring sports teams this season from competing for a state championship to building for the future, but all of the programs are excited to get started.

The baseball team opened its season last weekend, girls soccer started on Wednesday, girls swimming and track and field began on Thursday and softball plays today.

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

Softball

After winning 13 games last season, Lawrence High’s softball team is focused on taking the next step and earning a trip to the state tournament this year.

The Lions return both of their pitchers from last season, seniors Megan Sumonja and Jo Shield, and an experienced lineup led by UMKC-bound senior infielder Morgan Byrn, senior center fielder Kenzie Garvin, junior infielder Sophie Taylor, sophomore infielder Annie Grammar and junior catcher Audrina Hidalgo.

Second-year coach Joe Dee Tarbutton said the amount of senior leadership and strong core of returners are plenty of reasons to feel good entering the year.

The Lions open the season on the road at 4 p.m. today at Topeka Seaman.

Track

Lawrence High’s girls track and field team has finished third at state for the past two seasons and is hoping to make the next step this season.

Back this year is the two-time defending champion 4×400 relay team featuring senior Leah Gabler, senior Jensen Edwards, senior Marissa Pope and junior Kyleigh Severa, who are aiming to break the state relay record time. The Lions will also have senior Matia Finley, a two-time state champion in the discus, and her twin sister, Rebecca Finley, who was state runner-up in the discus for the last two years.

“We are deeper than we have been in a while,” ninth-year coach Jack Hood said.

Lawrence’s boys track and field team, which took 24th at state last year, is led by seniors Dearion Cooper (100-meter hurdles), Tae Shorter (triple jump) and Logan Shields (high jump). Junior Amani Bledsoe (shot put) and junior JD Woods (100-meter dash) also return with state meet experience.

Baseball

Lawrence High’s baseball team lost its first two games of the season last weekend in Arkansas, but the Lions are confident they will find their rhythm as the season progresses with six new starters. The Lions bring back senior shortstop Michael Sinks, second baseman Brad Kincaid, third baseman Nate Hulse and left-handed pitcher Daonte Lowery, who also plays center field.

They also hope to get a big impact from outfielder and pitcher Zak McAlister, first baseman Jacob Unruh, catcher Ivan Hollins and pitcher Nolan Prochaska.

LHS will play in its home opener at 6 p.m. today against Topeka Seaman.

Girls soccer

Despite losing 10 seniors, Lawrence High’s girls soccer team hopes to keep improving on last season’s 6-11 record.

The Lions won their season opener on Wednesday, defeating Pembroke Hill, 3-2, in overtime. They’re led by returning senior Keeli Billings, senior Cortlynn Stark, senior Sadie Keller, junior Elaine Harris and sophomore Skylar Drum.

They also hope to get a boost from newcomers Mikayla Downs, Maria Duncan and Kaitlin McIntyre.

“With the amount of girls that we returned, the idea is that we would like to exceed the record of last year but we also want to be competitive in all games,” coach Justin Young said.

Boys golf

Lawrence High’s boys golf team lost some star power but returns plenty of experience to the links this spring.

The Lions took sixth in the Sunflower League last year and bring back senior Brent Cahwee, sophomore Cole Brungardt, junior Braxton Olson, junior Dawson Dykes and sophomore Garrett Wilderman.

“We lost our No. 1 and 2 players, but all these guys played varsity for us last year,” coach Dirk Wedd said. “With improvement we could challenge as a team at regionals.”

Girls swimming

After a strong season last year, Lawrence High’s girls swimming and diving team is ready to make some big strides this season.

The Lions took sixth in the Sunflower League last year, and return a ton of talent and experience, led by senior Alex Ginsberg, senior Hannah Lee, senior Nicole Oblon, sophomore Mary Reed-Weston, sophomore Brittany Archer, sophomore Vanessa Hernandez, sophomore Chandler Sells, sophomore Meredith Von Feldt, sophomore Abbie Treff and sophomore Julia Randolph.

“All of last year’s league and state placers return,” ninth-year coach Kent McDonald said, “and we have a good core of swimmers who have improved and are ready to help the team.”

The Lions are also hoping to get a boost from newcomers Morgan Traughber and Chisato Kimura.

Boys tennis

Lawrence High’s boys tennis team doesn’t return any state qualifiers, and the Lions are looking to gain a lot of experience with their young lineup.

Elliott Abromeit is expected to be the top singles player, while Sam Allen and Jonathan Kinder combine for the top doubles combo.

The Lions are hoping to get contributions at the varsity level from Zack Bowie and Brendan Connor.

“We are very young,” sixth-year coach Chris Marshall said, “and if we put in the time to learn and gain varsity experience, we could be pretty good by the end of this year and even better the next.”