Lawrence High swimmer Stephen Johnson takes off from the block in the final heat of the 50-yard freestyle, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 at Free State High School. Johnson took first in the event.

A state medalist for the last three years, Lawrence High senior Stephen Johnson will enter his final Class 6A state swimming meet in a different role.

Johnson is seeded first in the 200-yard freestyle and 500 freestyle, entering Friday’s prelims at the Capitol Federal Natorium in Topeka. He has the top time by nearly four seconds in the 500 free.

Searching for his first state title, Johnson has moved from a contender to the favorite. He was runner-up in the 500 freestyle as a freshman and runner-up in the 200 freestyle last season.

“It’s kind of nice to finally be in the first spot,” Johnson said. “I’m hoping to keep that there. It was great having (former Free State standout) Jordan Portela those last couple of years and now this year I want to see if I can be that guy for some other people.”

Johnson, committed to swim at South Dakota next year, is happy with his progress throughout this season. He won Sunflower League titles in both events two weeks ago and is hopeful that he will reach his best times this weekend.

During practices throughout the last month, Johnson spent time pushing teammates like junior Braden Augustine to do their best. Augustine, who joined the team last year, will race in the team’s relays.

Augustine used to run cross country and track, joining the swimming team on a suggestion from former teammate Patrick Oblon. His first year in the pool went well enough that he decided to swim on a club team alongside Johnson throughout the offseason.

“I’ve improved quite a bit in my own opinion,” Augustine said. “That I’m going to state this year is kind of crazy.”

Lawrence senior Alex Heckman (50 and 100 free) and freshman Tyler Jones (200 free and 500 free) are additional individual LHS qualifiers.

Free State’s boys swimming team has placed third at state for three straight seasons and the Firebirds are hopeful that they can continue their podium streak.

Senior Evan Eskilson is seeded first in the 100 backstroke and second in the 100 freestyle. He medaled in both events last season, winning a state title in the 200 medley relay. Freshman Reilley Moore is seeded fourth in the 100 butterfly.

Two Free State seniors, Dean Stuart and Adam Ziegler, will be participating in individual events for the first time.

“It’s kind of starting to set in that this is my last week of swimming ever,” said Ziegler, who is seeded 21st in the 50 free and 100 free. “That’s really starting to set in.”

Stuart, seeded 22nd in the 50 free, joined the team during his sophomore year after playing basketball. It led to his younger brother, David, participating in the sport when he entered high school.

“It was either swimming or bowling and bowling wasn’t going to keep me in shape so I went ahead and went to the swim team,” said Stuart, who swam in relays at state last year. “For some reason, it just seemed like something that I wanted to give a try and I’m OK at it so I stuck with it.”

State swimming prelims begin at 2 p.m. Friday and the top 16 swimmers in each event will return for finals at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.