WRITER: David Rodish

Large senior class leading Free State's girls swim and dive teams to wins

Free State has won four of the first five meets of the girls' swim and dive season. Free State has a unique team chemistry this season. With a senior class of nine, the Firebirds have a blend of experience and earned leadership that has made the season special. “This team is just really close,” coach Janna Skinner said. “The atmosphere that our captains have created is very supportive of each other. They ...

Free State guard Dowdell, Lawrence guard Ramirez commit to Seward County men’s basketball team

Free State guard Korbin Dowdell and Lawrence guard Aden Ramirez committed to Seward County Community College, where former Free State assistant coach Austin Downing recently became the head coach. This won’t be the first time that Dowdell and Ramirez have played together. The two have spent time during offseasons as club basketball teammates. Dowdell previously committed to John Wood Community College ...

Free State girls swim and dive team wins home meet on senior night, Lawrence takes third

The Free State girls swim team hosted Lawrence and Mill Valley at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center on Thursday for senior night and won with 255 points. The Firebirds have nine seniors on the team this year, and the group has helped them start the year with four team wins in their first five meets. Free State won nine events, including seven non-relay events. Four of those wins were with seniors. “It was ...

Lawrence softball's contagious hitting helping Lions throughout the lineup

Down six runs to Olathe Northwest, Harper Dye led off the bottom of the fifth inning for Lawrence and hit a home run on the third pitch. After that, the Lions rattled off four more runs and had four hits in the inning after accounting for only five hits and two runs in the first four innings. The Lions came within a run of tying the Ravens but ultimately fell short to the defending 6A state champions. Still, ...

Lawrence softball's late rally comes up short in 8-7 loss to Olathe Northwest

Lawrence softball’s late rally against the defending 6A champions Olathe Northwest came up short on Tuesday, as the Lions lost 8-7 to the Ravens. Both pitchers started the game well, preventing either team from scoring in the first inning. Lawrence’s Keira Norris threw two strikeouts and allowed a single in the opening inning, while senior third baseman Maddy Crawford was the only Lion to get on base in ...

Lawrence girls soccer beats Gardner Edgerton 2-1 with two second-half goals

Lawrence girls' soccer beat Gardner Edgerton 2-1 on Tuesday, moving to 4-3 on the season and matching the highest win total since 2021. “We wanted to compete in the Sunflower League, and we’ve been able to do that,” coach Joe Comparato said. “Every week, every game, we’ve come out better.” The Lions had a slow start to the game offensively, as the team missed a few opportunities to finish goals. ...