Lawrence High school athletes representing their teams participating in spring sports from left are, Mary Reed-Weston, swimming, Samuel Allen, tennis, Cole Brungardt, golf, Carson Drake, soccer, Benjamin Otte and Alexia Anglin, track, Rhiannon Emerson, softball and Gavin Greenwood, baseball.

With the weather starting to heat up, that only means one thing: it’s time for the start of high school spring sports.

Two of Lawrence High’s spring sports programs will start today, officially kicking off the new season.

Here is a look at what all of the Lions’ programs expect out of the upcoming year:

Girls soccer

After one of the most successful season in recent years, Lawrence’s girls soccer team is looking to take the next step.

With the help of all-Sunflower League selections — and returners — Skylar Drum, Carson Drake and Anna Chieu, the Lions posted a 7-10 record last year, their most wins in a season since 2009.

The Lions are confident that freshman Banner Williams and Sofie Christiansen, a forward from Copenhagen, Denmark, can make a big impact at the varsity level.

“We return most of our scoring and our lineup from last year,” second-year coach Matt McCune said. “The team should be more focused coming into this season and the players understand their roles from the start. I think the girls are excited to be representing their high school on the pitch again.”

Lawrence begins the season playing host to Blue Valley on March 28.

Baseball

Less than a week away from the start of the season, Lawrence High baseball coach Brad Stoll is happy with what he’s seen since the start of spring practices.

“Have good depth on the mound, speed in the outfield and some middle of the lineup bats,” said Stoll, in his 12th year leading the Lions. “Feel like we will have a solid defensive club.”

The Lions return right-handed pitcher Gavin Greenwood, outfielders Joe Harms and Alexander Guy, infielders Braden Solko, Devin Lauts and Andrew Stewart, and catcher Reese Carmona.

Stoll mentioned right-handed pitcher/catcher Austin Quick as another player ready to make a big impact this season.

Lawrence will travel to Shiloh Christian (Ark.) for its opener on March 22 and play Marquette (Mo.) on March 24.

Softball

Lawrence High’s softball team will have some new faces in the varsity lineup this year, plus a new coach: Nicole Riley.

“I’ve been super excited, especially once we got around the girls and we saw the talent that we have,” Riley said. “It’s been exciting teaching them new things and getting ready for the season.”

The Lions, who posted a 9-12 record last season, will feature pitchers Zoe Brewer and Grace Neilson. Annie Grammer, Rhi Emerson, Kampbell Kilburn and Morgan Husman return to the varsity level.

LHS hopes to pick up strong contributions from freshmen Karly Johnson and Sara Cory.

For Riley, who spent six years as an LHS assistant, it’s exciting to take over as the head of the program.

“I haven’t been able to sleep a whole lot,” Riley said. “In my head at night, when I’m sleeping, thinking about practice plans and what we need to work on before our first game.”

The Lions will travel to Leavenworth in their season opener on March 28.

Girls swimming

Lawrence High’s girls swimming and diving team took fifth place at state last season, its best finish in 17 years.

With a long list of returners, the Lions looked ready to take advantage of that success. Lawrence brings back swimmers Jamie Abernathy, Maddie Dean, Emily Guo, Morgan Jones, Mary Reed-Weston, Chandler Sells, Jillian Wilson, Brooke Wroten and diver Eden Kingery.

LHS coach Kent McDonald, in his 11th year, noted there was 43 girls participating on the team at the beginning of practices, one of the highest numbers in recent years.

What’s the biggest challenge for the Lions?

“Getting the team in shape for the competitive swimming and diving season,” McDonald said. “Many haven’t swam in a while and it will take time to get into racing shape.”

McDonald hopes newcomers Megan Drumm, Marian Frick, Emily Gordon-Ross and Payton Gunderson can make a big impact this season, along with senior leaders Reed-Weston, Sells, Meredith Von Feldt, Kim Myers and Vanessa Hernandez.

The Lions will compete in the Emporia Invitational at 4 p.m. today.

Track

After Lawrence High’s boys track and field team took second last season, and the girls track team won a state title in 2015, the Lions hope to reload instead of rebuild.

The LHS girls track team is led by seniors Myah Yoder (sprinter) and Lexi Anglin (discus and javelin). Yoder helped the Lions to their fourth straight 4×400 relay title while Anglin was third in the javelin.

For the boys, Lawrence is expected to return senior Trey Moore (sprints and hurdles).

“We have a core group of seniors that will help lead a very talented group of underclassmen,” 11th-year coach Jack Hood said.

Which newcomers are expected to stand out?

“Not sure until we see them compete,” Hood said. “We have some kids that we are very excited about.”

The Lions will compete in the Topeka West Invitational at 3:30 p.m. today.

Boys Golf

There’s plenty of reasons for Lawrence High’s boys golfers to be optimistic heading into the season.

The Lions return four of their top five scorers from last season, including seniors Cole Brungardt and Garrett Wildeman, who both contributed to the team’s 2015 regional title.

At the beginning of the season, the key is “playing on a couple of very difficult courses and not losing our confidence,” coach Dirk Wedd said.

Seniors Thomas Taber and Joe Mondigo, along with sophomore Ross Brungardt, are expected to round out the varsity lineup.

Lawrence opens the season on March 29 in the Shawnee Mission South Invitational at Deer Creek.

Boys Tennis

Lawrence High’s boys tennis team will feature a new look after graduating much of last season’s varsity lineup.

The Lions will be led by seniors Sam Allen, Brendan Connor, Cole Herrin and sophomore Cooper Wright.

Eighth-year coach Chris Marshall is hoping for a strong contribution from freshman Kanak Masten.

“I have liked what I have seen so far this year,” Marshall said. “We are working at getting better. There is more competition and we have a lot of players with similar skill-set which makes practice more competitive and fun.”

The Lions will start their season in the Emporia Tournament on March 28.