photo by: Scott Chasen

Free State's Jacobee Williams competes in the long jump at the Little KU Relays held at Lawrence High.

Erin Cushing was disappointed when she heard the news, but she didn’t let it hurt her results. Instead, she let it fuel them.

Huddled up in her coat and clinging to a warm beverage just off the throwing area outside Lawrence High, the senior recounted the emotion of finding out she didn’t make it to a competitive KU Relays, instead participating in the Lawrence High Invitational, known as the “Little KU Relays,” on Wednesday.

“It’s kind of exciting, kind of bittersweet,” Cushing said. “That was kind of disappointing to find out that I wasn’t in that, and then I knew I could out here and win this today.”

That she did — in impressive fashion.

Battling the cold weather, Cushing took first in the javelin with a throw of 118 feet, 8 inches. That mark was significantly longer than any performer from the event last year and gave her some separation from the rest of the pack.

“Honestly, we got here at about like 1:45. We were the first people here and it was freezing,” Cushing said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way I’m going to PR.’ It’s so cold here and windy. Then I got up there and was like, ‘All right. I can do this.'”

photo by: Scott Chasen

LHS' Cassidy Johnson competes in the high jump at the Little KU Relays hosted at Lawrence High.

Lawrence High’s Amaya Harris (113-8) came in second with LHS’ Michaela Cordova (95-6) placing third.

Throughout the day, plenty of LHS and FSHS athletes found themselves with career-best or near career-best performances.

LHS’ Van Dave Jacob began his day with a first-place performance in the long jump. Jacob posted a leap of 20-10, edging out Blue Valley’s Shane Bergeman (19-8) and LHS’ Kendrick Hobson (19-0).

Jacob also competed in the triple jump, taking third behind Blue Valley’s Shane Bergeman.

“It’s cold, body’s feeling bad, but just got to stay focused mentally and physically,” Jacob said of his first mark. “(In the triple jump), my legs were dead but I had to keep on pushing.”

Jacob, who joined Bella Kirkwood (200 meters, 28.35; long jump, 15-7.5), Jayden Wilson (800 meters, 2:46.40), Hannah Stewart (1600 meters, 5:41.35), Layne Prescott (3200 meters, 12:52.17), Ella Stewart (discus throw, 105-1) and Bryce Tibke (shot put, 47-4; discus throw, 143-11) as the Lions’ winners of the individual events, said it was a battle to keep warm throughout the day.

photo by: Scott Chasen

Free State's Sun Rolf competes in the pole vault at the Little KU Relays held at Lawrence High.

Prescott, who took first in the girls’ 3200-meter run, agreed, saying the temperature actually made her a little nervous.

“I didn’t do so well earlier in the mile,” Prescott said. “But I started at a faster pace than I normally do and I was like, ‘I’m going to stick with it, because I’m feeling good.'”

Prescott credited the encouragement from her fellow schoolmates as a driving force in her performance and that of the LHS girls, who took first for the competition with a score of 132. The same support was true with the Firebirds, who also had a bit of a secret weapon on their side.

Just outside the throwing area for javelin, several Free State athletes packed into a tent. With music playing, and upwards of a dozen bodies inside, the environment was far friendlier than that of the windy, mid-40s conditions — and it was all thanks to Zach Pitts, who placed sixth in the javelin for the boys with a throw of 144-0.

“That was today, randomly,” Cushing said. “We got Zach to call his mom, and she brought a tent and we set it up real quick.”

photo by: Scott Chasen

LHS' Colby Otting (left) competes at the Little KU Relays held at Lawrence High.

“I definitely went to go check that out and got in there,” added Free State’s Nevin Ponds, who ran in both the 100- and 400-meter dashes. “When I was in there it was probably like 20-25 people were in there. Everybody’s all bundled up, trying to stay warm.”

With an assist from the tent, the FSHS boys finished in first with a score of 101.5. Firebirds event winners included Cushing (javelin), Aiden Goertz (800 meters, 2:10.63), Landon Sloan (1600 meters, 4:47.32), Charlie Johnson (3200 meters, 10:14.14), Kaiy King-Wilson (300-meter hurdles, 44.92) and Jack Theisen, who edged out Olathe North’s Josh Besanceney (153-1) and teammate Game DelValle (150-6) to win the boys’ javelin throw with a score of 155-1.

The Free State girls, on the other hand, finished in third with a score of 56.67. The LHS boys (57.17) finished in fourth, losing out to Blue Valley by less than 1.5 points in the final team scores.

Lawrence Invitational

Wednesday at Lawrence High

Girls team scores: 1. Lawrence, 132; 2. Blue Valley, 104.33; 3. Free State, 56.67; 4. Olathe North, 34; 5. Topeka West, 22; 6. Wyandotte 17.

Boys team scores: 1. Free State, 101.50; 2. Olathe North, 85.97; 3. Blue Valley, 58.57; 4. Lawrence, 57.17; 5. Wyandotte, 50.40; 6. Topeka West, 21.4.

FSHS, LHS results

GIRLS

100 — 2. Bella Kirkwood, LHS, 13.76; 3. Amaya Harris, LHS; 14.04, T-8. Lauren Sinclair, FS, 14.86; T-8. Jocelyn Wilson, LHS, 14.86; 11. Ozi Ajekwu, LHS, 15.12; 13. Victoria Norsell, FSHS, 15.58; 17. Haylee Kern, FS, 15.99; T-20. Elsa Fair, FS, 16.21; 22. Lydia Bond, FS, 16.53; 23. Hope Gregory, FS, 16.69.

200 — 1. Bella Kirkwood, LHS, 28.35; 8. Lauren Sinclair, FS, 31.56; 9. Ozi Ajekwu, LHS, 31.61; 10. Tori Crockett, FS, 32.32; 14. Hope Gregory, FS, 34.81; 15. Lydia Bond, FS, 34.82.

400 — 2. Ozi Ajekwu, LHS, 1:07.63; 3. Haylee Kern, FS, 1:13.15; 6. Audrey Schoenhofer, FS, 1:19.53; 8. Elsa Fair, FS, 1:21.40; 10. Lydia Bond, FS, 1:22.06; 12. Hope Gregory, FS, 1:24.07.

800 — 1. Jayden Wilson, LHS, 2:46.40; 3. Hanna Case, FS, 2:53.46; 5. Jordyn Garcia, LHS, 2:59.06; 7. Noel White, FS, 3:01.18; 8. Morgan Goeser, FS, 3:02.10; 12. Maise Struve, FS, 3:13.82; 13. Rachel Krambeer, LHS, 3:13.98; 16. Ceci Paranjothi; FS, 3:21.34; 17. Rachael Burrichter, FS, 3:26.64.

1600 — 1. Hannah Stewart, LHS, 5:41.35; 2. Layne Prescott, LHS, 6:03.15; 4. Maddie Day, FS, 6:11.33; 5. Corinne Scales, FS, 6:17.83; 6. Leslie Ostronic, LHS, 6:18. 07; 7. Morgan Goeser, FS, 6:18.73; 8. Lacey Greenfield, LHS, 6:21.43; 9. Noel White, FS, 6:23.01; 11. Jordyn Garcia, LHS, 6:25.29; 12. Hanna Case, FS, 6:26.88; 14. Anna DeWitt, LHS, 6:35.87; 15. Maise Struve, FS, 6:56.47; 19. Rachel Krambeer, LHS, 7:10.91; 23. Rachael Burrichter, FS, 7:37.39.

3200 — 1. Layne Prescott, LHS, 12:52.17; 2. Lacey Greenfield, LHS, 13:34.76; 3. Erin Liston, FS, 13:45.27; 4. Anna DeWitt, LHS, 13:46.93.

100 hurdles — 5. Liliana King-Wilson, FS, 18.78; 8. Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman, FS, 19.43; 9. Katelin Hollinshed, FS, 19.93; 12. Jessica Wilson, LHS, 21.81; 15. Tyrin Cosey, LHS, 23.57.

300 hurdles — 2. Liliana King-Wilson, FS, 52.57; 4. Talima Harjo, LHS, 53.80; 6. Caitlin McAndrew-Beckman, FS, 55.34; 8. Katelin Hollinshed, FS, 1:00.46.

4×100 relay — 2. Lawrence, 56.15; 5. Free State, 57.42.

4×400 relay — 2. Lawrence, 4:42.90; 3. Free State 4:57.10.

4×800 relay — 1. Lawrence, 10:58.35; 2. Free State, 11:57.05

High jump — 2. Liliana King-Wilson, FS, 4-10; T-3. Cassidy Johnson, LHS, 4-08; T-3. Mariah Reed, LHS, 4-08; T-3 Abby Afful, LHS, 4-08; 8. Bella Crawford-Parker, FS, 4-04; 9. Elsa Fair, FS, 4-02.

Pole vault — T-3. Brooke Wright, FS, 7-06; T-3. Nia Hughes, FS, 7-06; T-6. Macala Sisson, LHS, 7-00; 9. Sabrina Castle, FS, 6-06.

Long jump — 1. Bella Kirkwood, LHS, 15-07.5; 2. Cassidy Johnson, LHS, 15-05.50; T-6. Jocelyn Wilson, LHS, 13-01; 8. Elsa Fair, FS, 13-00.5; 9. Chloe McNair, LHS, 12-05; 12. Hope Gregory, FS, 11-07; 15. Lydia Bond, FS, 10-01.

Triple jump — 4. Chloe McNair, LHS, 28-01.5

Shot put — 2. Chisom Ajekwu, LHS, 32-07.5; 7. Jessica Vassar, LHS, 30-06; 9. Paiden Bell, LHS, 28-05; 11. Destiny Vongphachanh, LHS, 28-01; 12. Katelin Hollinshed, FS, 26-10.5; Hope Wheeler, FS, 26-03; 14. Emily Walker, LHS, 25-03.5; 19. Jordanne Peaches, LHS, 24-03; 22. Sydnie Martins, FS, 23-02.5; 27. Kloe Walker, FS, 20-05.50; 33. Frances Williams, LHS, 16-01.50.

Discus — 1. Ella Stewart, LHS, 105-01; 3. Kala Ewing, FS, 94-11; 4. Hope Wheeler, FS, 89-07.75; 6. Destiny Vongphachanh, LHS, 86-02; 8. Tracy Allen, LHS, 83-00; 11. Jessica Vassar, LHS, 79-03.5; 13. Paiden Bell, LHS, 77-03; 16. Katelin Hollinshed, FS, 74-01; 17. Olivia Ferguson, FS, 66-06; 18. Emily Walker, LHS, 65-09; 21. Jordanne Peaches, LHS, 62-05; 26. Allison Reed, FS, 48-03; 27. Kloe Walker, FS, 46-06.5; 29. Frances Williams, LHS, 42-07; 32. Jessica Reed, FS, 41-11; 34. Ruth Mutuku, FS, 38-03.

Javelin — 1. Erin Cushing, FS, 118-08; 2. Amaya Harris, LHS, 113-08; 3. Michaela Cordova, LHS, 95-06; 8. Kenzie Mason, LHS, 80-05; 9. Haylee Kern, FS, 80-02; 10. Megan Cushing, FS, 78-03; 11. Sophie LaPoint, LHS, 77-04; 13. Lauren Hoppe, FS, 73-06; T-14. Courtney Hanna, LHS 72-06; T-14. McKenna White, LHS, 72-06; 17. Audrey Schoenhofer, FS, 72-02; 18. Olivia Fergison, FS, 69.07; 20. Kloe Walker, FS, 64.11; 28. Allison Reed, FS, 55-00; 30. Madeline Smith, FS, 53-01; 31. Bailey Yazzie, FS, 52-09; 33. Brenna Brown, FS, 50-01; 36. Jessica Reed, FS, 36-01; 37. Ruth Mutuku, FS, 35-05; 38. Grace Mechler, FS, 33-01.

BOYS

100 — T-9. LJ Mack, FS, 12.60; T-9. Colby Otting, LHS, 12.60; 11. Davis Nguyen, FS, 12.62; T-12. Jacobee Williams, FS, 12.63; 15. Tim Schoepflin, FS, 12.75; 16. Nick Edwards, LHS, 12.87; T-17. Deshon Lewis, LHS, 12.90; T-17. David Obadare, LHS, 12.90; 20. Andre Shepard, FS, 12.91; 24. Jakoby Masters, LHS; 13.05; 26. Chris McGee, LHS, 13.15; 27. Joe Hess, LHS, 13.18; 28. Samuel Ortiz, LHS, 13.20; 29. Austin Burke, FS, 13.22; 33. Nevin Ponds, FS, 13.34; 34. Arthur Nammychai, LHS, 13.36; 40. Justin Miller, LHS, 14.27; 41. Niels Braaten, FS, 14.29; 42. Adam Baker, FS, 14.57; 45. Elijah Didde, LHS, 15.24.

200 — 4. Michael Pettit, FS, 25.26; 7. Davis Nguyen, FS, 25.68; 14. Jakoby Masters, LHS, 26.50; 15. Joe Hess, LHS, 26.51; 17. David Obadare, LHS, 26.63; 18. Mario Chacon-Falcon, FS, 26.66; 19. Colby Otting, LHS, 26.96; 20. Jacobee Williams, FS, 27.17; 22. Nick Edwards, LHS, 27.34; 24. Austin Burke, FS, 27.46; 25. Arthur Nammychai, LHS, 27.69; 26. Aaron Steinle, LHS, 28.11; 28. Drake Ward, FS, 29.11; 29. Justin Miller, LHS, 29.45; 31. Khalil Riccardo, FS, 30.17; 32. Adam Baker, FS, 30.51; 33. Elijah Diode, LHS, 30.59.

400 — 4. Jakoby Masters, LHS, 59.46; 7. Sammuel Ortiz, LHS, 1:01.33; 13. Andre Shepard, FS, 1:04.76; 14. Nick Edwards, LHS, 1:04.85; 16. Nevin Ponds, FS, 1:05.58; 17. Adam Baker, FS, 1:06.61; 18. Jacobee Williams, FS, 1:06.79; 19. Drake Ward, FS, 1:08.30; 20. Niels Braaten, FS, 1:11.16; 21. Khalil Riccardo, FS, 1:13.80.

800 — 1. Aiden Goertz, FS, 2:10.63; 5. Kendrik Hobson, LHS, 2:19.09; 8. Christopher Stone, FS, 2:20.33; 10. Grant Holmes, FS, 2:21.44; 15. Pierce Saturday, LHS, 2:25.75; 16. Carson Jumping Eagle, LHS, 2:26.58; 17. Liam Berns, FS, 2:26.98; 20. Jack Morse, LHS, 2:27.95; 21. Chris Walks, FS, 2:29.49; 23. Aaron Reed, LHS, 2:30.23; 25. Derek White, LHS, 2:30.55; 27. Eli Heffernan, FS, 2:32.02; 28. Nati Zicker, FS, 2:32.13; 29. Jared Windholz, LHS, 2:32.85; 31. Elijah Eklind, LHS, 2:34.45; 32. Avery Harrington, LHS, 2:36.02; 34. Connor Bewley, LHS, 2:36.91; 35. Trevor Arellano, LHS, 2:39.70; 37. Jack Benkelman, FS, 2:40.29; 38. Daylon Heck, LHS, 2:40.36; 41. Oscar Haro, FS, 2:43.32; 44. Gabe Mendoza, FS, 2:45.63; 45. Walker Koberlien, FS, 2:46.61; 46. Ian Haas, FS, 2:49.11; 51. Asa Morrison, FS, 3:01.65; 52. Reese White Lightning LHS, 3:03.23.

1600 — 1. Landon Sloan, FS, 4:47.32; 2. Charlie Johnson, FS, 4:47.57; 6. John Loos, FS, 4:58.93; 7. Ethan Sharp, FS, 4:59.21; 8. Christopher Stone, FS, 4:59.29; 10. Abdalla Eltom, LHS, 5:04.78; 13. Ethan Goldstein, FS, 5:11.52; 14. Aaron Reed, LHS, 5:15.84; 19. Carson Jumping Eagle, LHS, 5:24.50; 20. Nati Zicker, FS, 5:29.49; 21. Chris Wilkus, FS, 5:29.62; 23. Liam Berns, FS, 5:30.45; 24. Eli Hefferman, FS, 5:33.94; 26. Avery Harrington, LHS, 5:35.49; 27. Gabe Kimuri, FS, 5:36.33; 29. Pierce Saturday, LHS, 5:37.91; 34. Jared Windholz, LHS, 5:45.55; 36. Braiden Bangalan, FS, 5:47.17; 38. Gabe Mendoza, FS, 5:53.87; 39. Connor Bewley, LHS, 5:56.18; 42. Jack Benkelman; FS, 5:57.11; 44. Ian Haas, FS, 5:59.42; 46. Daylon Heck, LHS, 6:01.77; 47. Oscar Haro, FS, 6:04.12; 48. Trevor Arellano, LHS, 6:04.91, 49. Reese White Lightning, LHS, 6:07.31; 54. Asa Morrison, FS, 6:20.68.

3200 — 1. Charlie Johnson, FS, 10:14.14; 4. Brock Cordova, FS, 10:38.92; 5. Dash Spears, FS, 10:44.89; 6. John Loos, FS, 10:48.89; 7. Quinton Westphal, FS, 11:01.23; 8. Kiefer Smith, LHS, 11:18.66; 13. Abdalla Eltom, LHS, 11:35.72; 16. Grant Holmes, FS, 11:57.64; 21. Elijah Eklind, LHS, 12:11.58; 24. Derek White, LHS, 12:30.64.

110 hurdles — 3. Kaiy King-Wilson, FS, 17.75; 4. Bryce Crough, FS, 18.33; 6. Corbin Pruitt, LHS, 19.34; 8. Kalib Wilson, FS, 19.90; 11. Yoav Gillath, FS, 21.32.

300 hurdles — 1. Kaiy King-Wilson, FS, 44.92; 3. Bryce Crough, FS, 46.27; 7. Corbin Pruitt, LHS, 48.98; 12. Yoav Gillath, FS, 51.35; 13. Kalib Wilson, FS, 51.65.

4×100 relay — 1. Free State, 47.89; 7. Lawrence, 51.49.

4×400 relay — 2. Lawrence, 3:47.29; 5. Free State, 3:55.32.

4×800 relay — 1. Free State, 9:00.92; 2. Free State-B, 9:02:02; 3. Lawrence-B, 9:32.54.

High jump — 2. Michael Pettit, FS, 5-08.

Pole vault — 2. Declan Oberzan, LHS, 11-00; T-5. Carnell Douglas, FS, 9-06; T-5 Sun Rolf, FS, 9-06; T-5. Ja’Relle Dye, LHS, 9-06; T-5. Jack Burrichter, FS, 9-06; T-11; Gabe Kennard, FS, 9-00; 13. Anton Martinez, LHS, 8-06; T-14. Tim Huffman, FS, 8-00; T-14. Kwame Britwum, FS, 8-00.

Long jump — 1. Van Dave Jacob, LHS, 20-10; 3. Kendrik Hobson, LHS, 19-00; 6. Michael Pettit, FS, 17-07.5; 8. Trey Hulse, LHS, 17-04.5; 10. Chris McGee, LHS, 16-08.5; 12. Mario Chacon-Falcon, FS, 16-07; T-15. LJ Mack, FS, 15-10; T-15: David Obadare, LHS, 15-10; T-17. Jacobee Williams, FS, 15-08; 23. Andre Shepard, FS, 15-01.5; 25. Arthur Nammychai, LHS, 14-06.5; 26. Ryan Child, FS, 14-00.5.

Triple jump — 2. Van Dave Jacob, LHS, 39-03; 4. Mario Chacon-Falcon, FS, 38-09; 6. Kendrik Hobson, LHS, 38-06; 8. Chris Mumford, LHS, 36-04; 11. Chris McGee, LHS, 35-05.5.

Shot put — 1. Bryce Tibke, LHS, 47-04; 2. Gabe Clark, FS, 43-03; 6. Spencer Roe, FS, 40-07.5; 11. Matt Georgie, FS, 36-06; T-12. Adonis Stanwix, LHS, 35-11, 15. Brayden Liakos, LHS, 35-07; 19. Aaron Barnes, LHS, 34-07; 20. Dylan Gillespie, LHS, 34-04; 23. Akia Miles, LHS, 33-06; 24. Reid Plinsky, FS, 33-01; 29. Caden Johnson, FS, 31-05; 30. Jake Woodward, FS, 31-02; 31. Myles Hollie, FS, 31-01; 33. Conner Liakos, LHS, 30-07; 34. Nick Englebert, LHS, 29-09; 37. Peyton O’Connor, FS, 27-05; 39. Niels Braaten, FS, 25-03; 41. Cameron Irving, FS, 23-00.

Discus — 1. Bryce Tibke, LHS, 143-11; 4. Adonis Stanwix, LHS, 123-09; 6. Matt Georgie, FS, 115-10; 7. Trystan Harris, FS, 115-00; 8. Gabe Clark, FS, 110-11; 12. Adam Rocker, FS, 102-8; 13. Spencer Roe, FS, 100-09; 14. Mason Fowler, FS, 94-02; 15. Miles Akia, LHS, 93-03; 16. Nick Englebert, LHS, 90-05; 20. Conner Liakos, LHS, 85-08; 22. Aaron Barnes, LHS, 78-10; 28. Cameron Irving, FS, 66-03; 29. Brayden, Liakos, LHS, 64-01; 30. Caleb Stelk, FS, 50-05.

Javelin — 1. Jack Theisen, FS, 155-01; 3. Gabe DelValle, FS, 150-06; 6. Zach Pitts, FS, 144-00; 7. AJ Powell, LHS, 140-01; 9. Jacob Mills, LHS, 130-08; 10. Caden Johnson, FS, 126-10; 11. Elliot Herrod, FS, 122-10; 16. Ben King, LHS, 108-01; 18. Dylan Gillespie, LHS, 103-00; 21. Ian MacMurray, FS, 94-07; 23. Davis Nguyen, FS, 84-04; 27. Kyle Miller, LHS, 71-03; 28. Caleb Stelk, FS, 70-00; 31. Kobe Copp, LHS, 65-10; 34. Tristan May, LHS, 38-09; 35. River Foster, LHS, 38-02.