Despite not playing in 2020 due to the pandemic, Free State’s softball team picked up where it left off by earning a 10-2 road win over Olathe Northwest in the season opener Tuesday. The Firebirds, who are coming off back-to-back state titles, didn’t score in the top of the first before plating all 10 runs over the next five frames. FSHS recorded eight hits in the win, led by multi-hit efforts from senior ...
Free State’s baseball team, which won a league title two years ago, began Sunflower League play with a 9-3 road loss to Shawnee Mission West on Tuesday night. The Firebirds committed four errors, and they gave up at least one run in every inning but one. Shawnee Mission West scored two runs in the first, two in the third, two in the fourth, two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Maddox Burkitt, who got the ...
The moment the ball left his bat, Lawrence High senior Cole Mondi knew it was gone. With one out in the fourth, Mondi sent a line drive roughly 360 feet over the right field fence for a solo home run. “I’m glad it was my turn today with the bat,” Mondi said after Lawrence’s 10-6 win over Olathe Northwest Tuesday night at LHS. “As soon as I hit it, I was like, ‘I have a good feeling about this ...
Wrestler of the year: Madyson Gray, Free State Girls wrestling has only been a sanctioned sport in Kansas high schools for two years, and Gray has dominated in both of them. The FSHS junior earned her second straight state title this season and won all 17 of her matches against female opponents. She is 61-0 against female wrestlers for her high school career. Coach of the year: Kit Harris, Baldwin Baldwin’s ...
Co-wrestlers of the year: Trey Medina, Lawrence, and Cael Lynch, Eudora Medina was sensational during his senior season on the mat, and he didn’t lose a single match until the state championship bout of the 145-pound weight class. His runner-up finish and 19-1 overall record were proof of his improved mindset and focus entering the year. He was also named the regional wrestler of the year and substate ...
Player of the year: Shannon Clarke, Free State Clarke came through with a standout senior season with the Firebirds. Despite being face-guarded frequently, she produced an average of 13.9 points per game. She also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists. The 6-foot wing was a disruptive defender and had an all-around offensive game, which all should translate to the next level when she plays for the Naval ...